Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
The Forum of Former Presiding Officers of State Houses of Assembly of Nigeria has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 general elections, pledging to mobilise their members and supporters across the country's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to take the administration's message to the grassroots.
The endorsement was adopted as part of the resolutions of the forum's National Summit held on Thursday in Abuja, with the theme "Bold Leadership, Bold Reforms: From Subsidy to Renewed Hope — Affecting the Economic Trajectory and Digital Leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Administration." The summit was chaired by former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, while First Lady Oluremi Tinubu attended as Special Guest of Honour. It was hosted by FOPSHAN National Chairman Senator Wasiu Esinlokun. The forum's Board of Trustees is chaired by Ebonyi State Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, a former Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
In its first resolution, the forum endorsed the administration's economic reforms, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy, noting that the short-term difficulties required a focus on long-term economic prosperity. The former presiding officers then took a decisive political position, unanimously endorsing Tinubu for a second term. "In recognition of the President's colourful, visionary leadership and commitment to national development, FOPSHAN unanimously endorses President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for a second term in office in the 2027 general elections," the resolution stated. The forum pledged to mobilise its members nationwide and resolved to take the summit's message to all 36 states and the FCT. Under the resolution, former legislators at the national, state and local government levels are to engage Nigerians, explain government policies and programmes, and mobilise support for the administration.
The forum also appealed to the First Lady to adopt its members as ambassadors in the campaign, particularly to explain the administration's social intervention programmes targeting women, children and vulnerable groups. It further called on President Tinubu and state governors to draw on the legislative experience of former presiding officers in government appointments and policy formulation. On party affairs, FOPSHAN reaffirmed its commitment to the unity, progress and success of the All Progressives Congress and urged members to close ranks in support of the administration at all levels.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu described the endorsement as significant, saying it came from men and women who had themselves presided over legislative institutions and understood the complexities of governance and policymaking. She urged the former lawmakers not to withdraw from public service after leaving political office, charging them to deploy their experience, networks and institutional knowledge to strengthen democracy and mentor younger legislators. "This summit is a celebration of service, leadership, experience and sacrifice. Leaving political office should never mean leaving public service," she said. "Nigeria still needs your wisdom, experience and networks. I therefore urge you to use this forum as a platform for preserving institutional memory, mentoring younger legislators, promoting democratic stability, and continuing to contribute to the development of the various communities where we serve." On the endorsement, she said: "Coming from men and women who have themselves presided over legislative institutions, your endorsement carries special significance. You understand the demands of governance, the difficulty of making critical decisions, and the courage required to pursue reforms in the national interest."
Anyim, in his remarks as Chairman of the occasion, declared that Tinubu was not merely taking decisions for immediate political gains but was implementing reforms aimed at shaping Nigeria's future. He said the President was "thinking beyond 2027" and "planting" for the next generation, citing the removal of petrol subsidy, the student loan policy and the proposed state police initiative as examples of reforms with long-term implications. "I rarely talk about iconic leaders. I rather observe them because most of the time they are not defined by the projects they do. They are rather defined by their vision and reforms to implement," Anyim said. He argued that societies periodically required fundamental political, social and economic changes, adding that such reforms could only be pursued by leaders willing to make difficult decisions without being driven solely by immediate popularity. "Reforms at every time had never always been very popular, but only courageous leaders who are not thinking about the next election but the next generation can pursue them," he said.
Former Plateau State Governor and former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Senator Simon Lalong, who was the Guest Speaker at the summit, acknowledged the economic difficulties generated by the reform programme but said Nigeria needed to move from macroeconomic stabilisation to shared prosperity. He said Tinubu had demonstrated the courage to take difficult decisions, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy, adding that the full benefits of the reforms would take time to materialise. "President Bola Tinubu has exemplified those bold steps and come 2027, Nigerians will reward him to complete the great work," Lalong said. He described the removal of petrol subsidy as "one of the most difficult and consequential economic decisions" taken in recent years. "For decades, Nigeria consumed what we did not produce. We succeeded in making our future children pay for cheap petrol. Everyone knew the truth but no leader had the courage to confront it," he said. Lalong called for sustained investment in roads and bridges, agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, education, energy and technology, while insisting that infrastructure projects must be delivered with quality and value for money. "Our duty today goes beyond assessment. Our duty is to be ambassadors of this difficult but necessary reform. President Tinubu has done his part by taking the bold decision. Our part is to help our people understand that the pains of today are the gains of tomorrow," he said.
Nwifuru, in his address, stressed the importance of cooperation between the executive and legislature, drawing on his experience as a former Speaker. "Those years taught me an enduring lesson. Governance is not the responsibility of the executive alone; it is a partnership between institutions," he said. He said the economic reforms should ultimately translate into increased productive capacity, urging greater investment in key sectors. "We must create an environment where Nigerians can produce more, businesses can grow and young people can find meaningful opportunities," he said. He also urged stronger legislative oversight and greater fiscal responsibility, alongside the strengthening of democratic institutions and devolution of powers.
The endorsement comes amid a broader political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections. The APC has been courting influential blocs across the country, while opposition parties have been consolidating their own coalitions. The FOPSHAN endorsement, however, carries symbolic weight because its members have legislative experience and local networks that could be deployed for grassroots mobilisation. Whether that translates into electoral advantage remains to be seen, but the forum has staked its claim to a role in the campaign. As the 2027 elections draw closer, the former presiding officers have positioned themselves as ambassadors of the administration's reform agenda, with a mandate to take the Renewed Hope message to every ward and constituency across the federation.
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