In a powerful show of support, the Southern Forum of Former Legislators endorsed President Bola Tinubu as their sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections during a summit in Abeokuta on Saturday.
The forum, representing lawmakers from Nigeria’s 17 southern states across state, federal, and local levels, issued a communique highlighting Tinubu’s leadership and reforms as key reasons for their backing.
Former Edo State Attorney General and a key figure in the forum, Samson Osagie, delivered the communique, which praised Tinubu’s initiatives, including the establishment of Regional Development Commissions, the student loan scheme, and electricity sector deregulation.
“We commend President Tinubu for his bold reforms that are laying a strong foundation for Nigeria’s progress,” Osagie stated, emphasizing the need for state governments to collaborate for greater outcomes.
The forum’s endorsement of Tinubu was rooted in principles of equity, fairness, and national unity.
The communique noted, “We affirm that it is the turn of the south to complete its tenure.
“We adopt President Tinubu as the sole candidate of the south and call for support from the north in 2031 to ensure balanced leadership.”
The group also expressed admiration for the Northern caucus’s support for the south to complete its leadership term, reinforcing their commitment to unity and peace.
Chief of Staff to the President and National Convener of the forum, Femi Gbajabiamila, described Tinubu as “an exceptional and generational leader” who deserves nationwide support to continue his transformative agenda beyond 2027.
Speaking on the summit’s theme, _“National Unity: Bedrock for Nation Building,”_ Gbajabiamila stressed, “Unity is crucial for building a prosperous Nigeria, and every citizen, at home and abroad, must contribute to this collective effort.”
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun echoed this sentiment, calling Tinubu a “visionary leader” whose reforms are steering Nigeria toward greater heights.
“The president deserves another term to complete his good work,” Abiodun urged, rallying the forum to mobilize support for Tinubu’s 2027 candidacy.
The summit, attended by prominent figures like former Senate President Ken Nnamani, former House Speaker Patricia Etteh, and former Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, underscored the forum’s resolve to promote national unity and back Tinubu’s leadership.
Nnamani, in his remarks, encouraged the legislators to continue advocating for a united Nigeria, while Gbajabiamila reiterated that Tinubu’s policies are addressing critical challenges like infrastructure, food security, and safety.
NAN
