2027: Southern ex-legislators declare support for Tinubu’s second term

The Southern Summit of Former Legislators has formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office, citing his economic reforms and commitment to nation-building.

The adoption was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the summit held on Saturday at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The former lawmakers applauded Tinubu’s reforms, which they said had, in the last two years, revitalised the economy, strengthened the naira, and placed Nigeria on a path of sustainable socio-economic recovery. They also urged state governments to align with the President’s policies to accelerate national development.

Chief of Staff to the President and convener of the summit, Femi Gbajabiamila, described the administration’s tax reforms as a milestone towards fairness, accountability, and economic justice.

Citing a World Bank report, he revealed that Nigeria’s economy grew by 4.6 percent in the last quarter of 2024, resulting in an annual growth rate of 3.4 percent — the fastest in a decade. He also noted that the fiscal deficit narrowed from 5.4 percent of GDP in 2023 to three percent in 2024, with federation revenues rising from N16.8 trillion to an estimated N31.9 trillion.

Gbajabiamila emphasised unity as a prerequisite for development, stressing that nation-building extends beyond infrastructure to fostering a sense of identity and purpose. He highlighted Tinubu’s establishment of development commissions across the six geo-political zones as a deliberate effort to strengthen regional development.

In his remarks, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, the host, reiterated that nation-building is a collective responsibility that transcends tribal, political, and religious lines. He described unity as a celebration of diversity grounded in justice, equity, and respect.

Former Senate President Ken Nnamani, who chaired the occasion, said the summit was an opportunity for former lawmakers to reflect on national challenges and propose workable solutions.

Also speaking, former Speakers of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and Patricia Etteh, urged Nigerians to resist divisive elements and instead embrace dialogue, cohesion, and shared purpose. Dogara warned against “pretenders” in politics, saying their motives were rooted in vengeance rather than patriotism, while Etteh stressed that unity was vital for peace and democratic progress.

National Coordinator of the summit, Raphael Igbokwe, assured that the gathering would continue to serve as a platform for proffering solutions to Nigeria’s challenges, urging stronger collaboration between the federal and sub-national governments.