Former President of the Senate, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Thursday, revealed that he was initially reluctant to chair the 23rd Daily Trust Dialogue due to the proximity of the 2027 general elections.
The 2026 edition of the Dialogue is themed “Nigeria’s Fourth Republic: What Is Working and What Is Not Working.”
Saraki said his hesitation was not based on the relevance of the topic but on concerns about the political climate as the country approaches another election cycle.
“I initially was reluctant to accept the chair for this occasion, not because the subject matter was not appropriate or germane, but more because of how close we are to an election year,” he said. “I am also inclined to wonder whether we are prepared to make this a productive discussion, rather than a platform to push our respective political agendas.”
Read Also: Keyamo, Osinbajo, Saraki, Obi for Ghana summit
He urged speakers and participants to avoid turning the forum into a campaign platform, stressing the need for patriotic, issue-driven discussions aimed at national progress.
The Olubadan of Ibadan, Rashidi Ladoja, is serving as the Special Guest of Honour, while speakers at the Dialogue include Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, and Nnenna Elendu Ukeje, chair of the foreign affairs committee of the 7th and 8th House of Representatives.