2027: Southern Former Legislators Endorse Tinubu at Abeokuta Summit
At a gathering held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, former Southern legislators officially endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term, reaffirming their support at the Southern Summit of Former Legislators. The event took place on Saturday at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, culminating in a communiqué praising Tinubu’s leadership and reforms.
The former lawmakers highlighted the significant strides made under President Tinubu’s administration over the past two years, emphasizing his efforts to revitalize the economy, stabilize the national currency, and steer Nigeria towards socio-economic recovery. They urged state governments to align with these reforms and back the President in building a stronger nation.
Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President and convener of the summit, underscored that the recent tax reforms signed into law marked a new chapter of economic fairness, accountability, and national purpose. Citing the World Bank Development Update, he pointed out Nigeria’s economic growth of 4.6% in the last quarter of 2024, resulting in a decade-high annual growth rate of 3.4%. Gbajabiamila further noted that the country’s fiscal deficit shrank from 5.4% of GDP in 2023 to 3% in 2024, while federation revenues soared from N16.8 trillion to an estimated N31.9 trillion.
Emphasizing the importance of unity amidst diversity, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives stressed that national development depends on peace and cohesion. He stated, “Nation building goes beyond infrastructure—it requires forging a shared identity and collective purpose.” He also praised President Tinubu’s initiative to establish development commissions across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to ensure equitable distribution of federal resources for infrastructure and human capital development.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, the host of the summit, echoed this sentiment, stressing that nation building is a collective responsibility that transcends ethnic, religious, political, and economic differences. He noted that unity should be viewed as a celebration of diversity grounded in justice, equity, and mutual respect. Abiodun also acknowledged the former legislators’ crucial role in democracy, highlighting their function in representation, oversight, and voicing grassroots concerns at the federal level.
Senator Ken Nnamani, who chaired the event, called on former legislators to unite in addressing Nigeria’s challenges and providing actionable solutions. Meanwhile, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the House, urged Nigerians not to be swayed by political pretenders whose motives he described as driven by vengeance and power rather than patriotism. He highlighted that despite opposition, the nation is experiencing an economic revival.
Similarly, Patricia Etteh, another former House Speaker, called for dialogue, unity, and shared commitment to sustain Nigeria’s development, emphasizing that peace and democratic progress depend on cohesion.
Finally, Hon. Raphael Igbokwe, the National Coordinator of the Summit, expressed optimism that the gathering would foster collaboration between the southern sub-nations and the federal government to address national issues and advance the country’s progress.
