Former Speakers and Deputy Speakers of State Houses of Assembly under the platform, Forum of Former Presiding Officers of State Houses of Assembly of Nigeria (FOPSHAN), on Thursday unanimously endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s aspiration for a fresh term in 2027.
The Forum passed the resolution at the end of its summit held at the State House Banquet Hall, with the theme, “Bold Leadership, Bold Reforms: From Subsidy to Renewed Hope – Affecting the Economic Trajectory and Digital Leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration.”
The host was national chairman of the FOPSHAN, Senator Wasiu Esinlokun, while former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim was Chairman of the event, which had former Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong as guest speaker.
The former presiding officers pledged to mobilise across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to ensure victory for President Tinubu.
“In recognition of the President’s colourful, visionary leadership and commitment to national development, FOPSHAN unanimously endorses President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for a second term in office in the 2027 general elections,” the resolution stated.
The Forum appealed to President Tinubu and governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, governors expected to drive his campaigns, and to integrate the former presiding officers in governance, particularly at the level of appointments and policy formulation.
“The conference calls on the President and governors to continue to tap into the wealth of legislative experience of former presiding officers in appointments and policy formulation for the good governance of the country.”
Ebonyi State governor and former Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Francis Nwifuru, who incidentally is Chairman of the Forum Board of Trustees, maintained that former presiding officers have strategic role to play in national development.
He said: “We have occupied the chambers where laws are made, scrutinised and voices of our constituents were amplified. We therefore cannot afford to be spectators in the journey of national development.”
Former Plateau State Governor and Senator representing Plateau State, Simon Lalong, who was guest speaker, justified the economic policies of the present administration as he noted that previous administrations conveniently avoided tough decisions needed to put the nation on the path of economic recovery and growth. He cited the removal of fuel subsidy regime as tough but necessary economic reform.
He said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has exemplified those bold steps and come 2027, Nigerians will reward him to complete the great work.”
“For decades, Nigeria consumed what we did not produce. We succeeded in making our future children pay for cheap petrol.
“Everyone knew the truth but no leader had the courage to confront it.”
“It was not an easy decision. It was not a politically convenient decision. But sometimes, leadership is tested not by the decisions that are easy to make, but by the courage to make decisions that the moment demands.”
In his opening remarks, former Senate President and Chairman of the occasion, Anyim Pius Anyim equally spoke in glowing terms about the economic reforms of the present administration and its attendant gains.
The former Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) called on Nigerians to be patient with the Tinubu administration as he noted that the pain of the reforms was a passing phase.
He said: “Reforms at every time had never always been very popular, but only courageous leaders who are not thinking about today but tomorrow actually embark on reforms.”
“I have observed the political trajectory of President Bola Tinubu, and I am to say he was never a politician of today, but a statesman of the moment and the next levels.”
National Chairman of the forum, Senator Wasiu Eshilokun Sani, said the gathering was meant to provide an avenue for its members to interrogate major policy decisions of the government and its impacts on national development.
In her address, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, described the former presiding officers as eminent politicians imbued with institutional memory to promote democracy.
“Nigeria still needs your wisdom, experience, and networks. I therefore urge you to use this forum as a platform for preserving institutional memory, mentoring younger legislators, promoting democratic stability and continuing to contribute to the development of the various communities where you served.”
WATCH TOP VIDEOS FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE TV
