- They stressed that national issues should be addressed internally through constitutional and democratic processes
- The former lawmakers declared their unanimous support for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027
- Femi Gbajabiamila, described national unity as a strategic necessity for Nigeria’s survival
Former federal legislators, operating under the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), have endorsed President Bola Tinubu as their sole candidate for the 2027 general election and called for the formal inclusion of rotational presidency in Nigeria’s Constitution to safeguard national unity beyond 2031.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the position was announced in a communiqué released at the conclusion of the NFFL 2026 National Summit, themed “National Unity and Nation Building Beyond 2031,” held on Saturday in Abuja.
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Presenting the communiqué, the forum said its resolutions were driven by the need to strengthen national cohesion and promote inclusiveness among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups.
The former lawmakers declared their unanimous support for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 and reaffirmed dialogue, consultation and peaceful engagement as the preferred means of resolving Nigeria’s political and social challenges.
They stressed that national issues should be addressed internally through constitutional and democratic processes.
On power sharing, the forum resolved that the presidency should return to the North in 2031, following the completion of the South’s turn, in line with equity, inclusion and national balance.
To address recurring political tensions, the NFFL urged that the principle of rotational presidency be clearly entrenched in the Constitution, arguing that it would promote fairness, strengthen unity and provide long-term political clarity.
The forum also passed a vote of confidence in the Tinubu administration, calling for support to enable the President complete two full terms in office.
According to the communiqué, this would help consolidate ongoing reforms, enhance national cohesion and deepen democratic governance.
Reaffirming its commitment to a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria, the forum appealed to political leaders and citizens to uphold democratic values and work collectively in the national interest.
Speaking at the summit, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, described national unity as a strategic necessity for Nigeria’s survival in an increasingly unstable global environment.
He told the gathering that global uncertainty has made experienced leadership and internal cohesion more critical than ever.
Gbajabiamila conveyed President Tinubu’s appreciation to the forum, describing it as a valuable reservoir of experience that continues to influence government policy. He said the institutional memory of former lawmakers should be deliberately harnessed to guide economic and governance decisions.
He emphasised that nation-building is an ongoing process that transcends electoral cycles and individual administrations, noting that Nigeria was founded as a unified entity, not a collection of competing groups.
Warning against internal divisions, Gbajabiamila said disunity weakens national capacity, limits economic progress and heightens security risks.
He described rotational presidency between the North and South as a stabilising political arrangement rooted in national consensus, cautioning against personal ambitions that could disrupt the balance.
He also warned that ethnic and religious politics undermine trust and weaken the state, stressing that such divisions erode the foundations of national stability.
Earlier, the NFFL National Coordinator, Raphael Igbokwe, said the forum’s stance on power rotation followed extensive consultations across both Northern and Southern regions, adding that members agreed the South should complete its eight-year tenure in the interest of unity, peace and national development.
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