Ahead of the 2027 general elections, a national forum of former federal legislators has officially endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as their sole presidential candidate.
The endorsement was announced during the Southern Summit 2025 held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Themed “National Unity: Bedrock of Nation Building,” the summit brought together former lawmakers to reflect on national issues and chart a course forward.
Speaking at the event, Chief of Staff to the President and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, praised President Tinubu’s leadership, citing major reforms that have shaped the administration since 2023.
These include removal of subsidy fraud benefiting a minority, implementation of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and Passage of tax reforms aimed at promoting fairness and accountability.
Gbajabiamila described these actions as the work of a leader focused on future generations rather than political gains, stating:
“These are not the actions of a politician thinking about the next election. They are acts of extraordinary statesmanship.”
He criticized political actors who exploit national divisions for selfish interests and urged the former lawmakers to rally support for Tinubu’s re-election bid, highlighting his commitment to unity and progress.
At the conclusion of the summit, the forum released a communiqué, signed by Hon. Samson Osagie, expressing full support for Tinubu’s re-election.
Key points include Adoption of Tinubu as sole 2027 presidential candidate, Call for unity and support across regions, particularly urging the South to back Tinubu for a second term, Commendation of government reforms, such as: creation of Regional Development Commissions, local Government Autonomy, deregulation of the electricity sector and the Student Loan Scheme (NELFUND), as we as calls for the creation of State Police.
The forum also acknowledged the Northern Caucus’s endorsement of a Southern presidency, affirming that Tinubu should complete the South’s two-term cycle.
“We call on the South to support the North in 2031 to take up their tenure. We must all pursue a national agenda of unity and peace,” the communiqué read.
Hon. Rapheal Igbokwe, the forum’s National Coordinator, emphasized the importance of national unity and encouraged further cooperation between federal and state governments to maximize the impact of the ongoing reforms.
He also called on the Federal Government to consider post-service benefits for former legislators and urged that they be included in political appointments.
In attendance were Senator Ken Nnamani, former Senate President, Hon. Patricia Olubunmi Etteh and Hon. Yakubu Dogara, former Speakers of the House, Sen. Ndoma Egba, former Senate Leader, Sen. Adegbenga Kaka and Sen. Lekan Mustapha, among others
