Southern Ex Lawmakers Back Tinubu For 2027

The Southern Forum of former legislators has endorsed President Bola Tinubu as its preferred candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

The decision was reached at the end of a summit held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where members from the 17 southern states gathered to discuss the future of national leadership.

The summit, themed “National Unity: Bedrock for Nation Building,” ended with a communiqué read by Edo State Attorney General Samson Osagie. The forum praised Tinubu’s leadership style and reforms, citing policies such as the establishment of Regional Development Commissions, local government autonomy, student loan schemes, and the deregulation of the power sector.

Prominent figures present included former Senate President Ken Nnamani, former House of Representatives Speaker Patricia Etteh, former Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, former Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, and the forum’s national coordinator Raphael Igbokwe. They were joined by Rufai Chachangi, coordinator of the Forum of Former Northern Legislators, reflecting cross-regional engagement.

The forum argued that the South should be allowed to complete its turn at the presidency, stressing that Tinubu’s re-election would help strengthen national unity and foster fairness. Members pledged support for the North to take over in 2031 after the South’s tenure.

Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President and national convener of the forum, urged Nigerians to back Tinubu’s return in 2027, describing him as a generational leader who has taken bold steps to reshape the country. He pointed to recent economic growth, citing World Bank data that Nigeria’s economy expanded by 4.6 percent in the last quarter of 2024, with annual growth at 3.4 percent, the fastest in a decade. He also noted a sharp narrowing of the fiscal deficit and rising foreign investment flows.

Gbajabiamila said the call for Tinubu to complete eight years in office rests on fairness, equity, and the need to consolidate reforms already underway. He added that nation-building requires the collective effort of citizens, not just government.

Former Senate President Ken Nnamani commended the initiative, describing it as a step toward strengthening Nigeria’s democratic culture. Governor Dapo Abiodun also praised Tinubu as a visionary leader steering critical reforms to reposition the country for the future.

The endorsement adds momentum to Tinubu’s prospects as the ruling party prepares for the political battles leading into 2027.