In a move that could shape Nigeria’s political landscape, former Speakers and Deputy Speakers of State Houses of Assembly gathered in Abuja to endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 general elections. The Forum of Former Presiding Officers of State Houses of Assembly of Nigeria (FOPSHAN) announced a nationwide mobilisation plan to promote Tinubu’s reform agenda across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The national summit, themed “Bold Leadership, Bold Reforms: From Subsidy to Renewed Hope – Affecting the Economic Trajectory and Digital Leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration,” was chaired by former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim. First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu attended as Special Guest of Honour, while FOPSHAN National Chairman Senator Wasiu Eshilokun Sani hosted the event and Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru chaired its Board of Trustees.
In a unanimous resolution, FOPSHAN endorsed Tinubu’s bid for a second term and reaffirmed support for the administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy. The forum pledged to deploy its extensive network of former legislators at national, state and local levels to explain the President’s policies and programmes to the electorate.
“Reforms at every time have never always been very popular, but only courageous leaders who are not thinking about today but tomorrow actually embark on reforms,” said Anyim. He added that Tinubu’s student loan policy, state police initiative and subsidy removal were aimed at long‑term national objectives, comparing reforms to planting a seed that will bear fruit in the future.
Former Plateau State governor Simon Lalong echoed the call for continuity, noting that the petrol subsidy removal was a difficult decision that required time to deliver results. “Everyone knew the truth but no leader had the courage to confront it,” Lalong said, while stressing that macro‑economic gains must translate into tangible improvements in infrastructure, agriculture, human capital and social protection.
Governor Nwifuru defended the subsidy removal, insisting that the gains should be invested in productive sectors to expand Nigeria’s capacity. He urged the First Lady to adopt FOPSHAN members as ambassadors for the administration’s social intervention programmes targeting women, children and vulnerable groups.
FOPSHAN also called on Tinubu and state governors to tap into the legislative experience of former presiding officers for appointments and policy formulation, aiming to strengthen good governance and ensure that the reform journey continues beyond the current administration.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
