By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
At least 17 former members of Nigeria’s National Assembly have publicly distanced themselves from a weekend summit where the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL) endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 general elections.
The NFFL, convening its national summit in Abuja on Saturday under the theme “National Unity and Nation Building: Beyond 2031,” adopted Tinubu as its sole presidential candidate. The gathering, which included notable figures such as former Senate Presidents Pius Anyim and Ken Nnamani, as well as ex-Speakers Patricia Etteh and Yakubu Dogara, was convened by Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila. The forum also called for constitutional entrenchment of rotational presidency between the North and South to promote equity and reduce political tensions post-2031.
In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the dissenting ex-lawmakers described the endorsement as a “deceptive” and “staged political exercise” driven by inducements rather than genuine consensus. They accused organizers of assembling a “rented crowd” and manufacturing artificial legitimacy through financial incentives.
“We state clearly, firmly, and without apology: we are not, and will never be, part of any contrived summit of ex-legislators being hurriedly assembled to endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term ambition,” the statement read.
The signatories alleged that the event misrepresented the views of hundreds of former lawmakers nationwide, labeling it a “cash and carry political carnival” and “democratic fraud.” They emphasized that endorsements cannot substitute for actual governance performance, urging the administration to focus on delivering tangible results in areas such as security, poverty reduction, job creation, and economic stabilization.
“Endorsements do not govern a nation, performance does. Former legislators are not for sale. Our names are not commodities. Our legacy is not merchandise,” the said.
The group categorically dissociated from the summit, rejected any endorsement issued in their name, and warned against unauthorized use of their identities. They condemned what they termed the “monetisation of democratic institutions,” declaring: “Our voices cannot be rented. Nigeria’s democracy will not be auctioned to the highest bidder.”
The signatories include Hon. Sergius Ogun, Hon. Herman Hembe, Hon. Sam Okwu, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, Hon. Tom Zakari, Hon. Mohammed Soba, Hon. Chika Adamu, Hon. Sadiq Ibrahim, Hon. Tajudeen Ajagbe, Hon. Supo Abiodun, Hon. Danlad Donald Olayonu, Hon. Abubakar Amuda Kannike, Hon. Rufus Omiri, Hon. Mayor Eze, Hon. Kamil Akinlabi, Hon. Shaaba Ibrahim, and Hon. Nkwo Nkole.
