Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said the forthcoming national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will serve as a major platform to showcase the impact of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms while also allowing the party to engage in deep introspection.
Speaking on ARISE News on Friday, Dogara described the event as more than a routine political gathering, noting that it marks a significant milestone in the party’s history.
“I think for us, it’s not just a convention. This is going to be our eighth national convention since the formation of the APC,” he said.
According to him, the convention is expected to present a comprehensive account of the Tinubu administration’s performance and its effects on Nigerians.
“What would Nigerian citizens expect? I expect to see that there will be telling stories as to how this reformist president… has impacted a number of Nigerians,” he added.
Dogara also stressed that the gathering would provide an opportunity for the ruling party to reflect on its journey and performance.
“It will offer us the opportunity for a deeper introspection as to what APC has done,” he said.
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Addressing internal disagreements within the party, Dogara urged members to handle disputes as internal matters.
“I believe whatever the situation is, it is a family issue and it should be resolved as such,” he noted.
He further defended the party’s adoption of the consensus model in selecting candidates, arguing that it aligns with legal provisions and promotes unity within the party.
“I believe that the party is perfectly in sync with the law by adopting the consensus model… if there are issues, we should be able to pick them up and address them,” he explained.
Highlighting some of the administration’s policies, Dogara pointed to key interventions in education, infrastructure, and enterprise support, saying they are already making an impact.
“Except if you are not Nigerian, you would have noticed the President’s critical intervention… especially what excites me is NELFUND… the coastal road, Sokoto to Badagry… they are transformative,” he said.
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He added that initiatives aimed at supporting youth and women-led businesses would gradually reshape public perception of the administration.
“When you look at funding enterprises… I believe the narrative will begin to shift… there are so many telling stories that have not been told,” he stated.
On opposition politics, Dogara dismissed allegations that the ruling party is interfering in the affairs of opposition groups, insisting that accountability cannot be attributed to a party without a strong opposition.
“I can’t see where anyone in APC is being directly involved in messing up with the opposition… you cannot be held accountable when you don’t have a viable opposition,” he said.
He also clarified that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is not a member of the APC, stressing that party membership is determined by official registration records.
“Membership is determined by the registration in the party’s database… you will not find the FCT Minister’s name there,” Dogara added.
The APC national convention is expected to draw party leaders and stakeholders from across the country, with discussions centered on governance, internal cohesion, and the party’s future direction.
