The Southern Forum of Former Legislators on Saturday endorsed President Bola Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

Samson Osagie, the Attorney General of Edo State and a former lawmaker, stated this while reading a communique issued at the end of a summit held in Abeokuta.

The forum is the umbrella body for lawmakers who have served the nation at the state, federal, and local government levels across the 17 southern states.

The former legislators stated that their decision to adopt Mr Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate for 2027 was based on the need to pursue equity, unity, and fairness in the country.

The communique partly reads, “We affirm that it is the turn of the south to complete its tenure. We posit that it is in the best interest of the south and the nation that the incumbent, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, completes the tenure of the South.

“Accordingly, we adopt him as the sole candidate of the south. We call on the south to support the north in 2031 to take up their tenure for the leadership of our dear country.”

It hailed Mr Tinubu for his innovative reforms, such as the establishment of regional development commissions, the students’ loan scheme, and the deregulation of the electricity sector.

The forum called for greater collaboration among state governments for a bountiful harvest.

The chief of staff to the president and national convener of the forum, Femi Gbajabiamila, described Mr Tinubu as an exceptional and generational leader who deserved the support of all Nigerians to continue the noble task beyond 2027.

Speaking on the theme “National Unity: Bedrock for Nation Building,” Mr Gbajabiamila emphasised that unity among Nigerians is crucial for building a progressive and prosperous nation.

Mr Gbajabiamila stated that Mr Tinubu, as a matter of policy and practice, was committed to building a vibrant Nigeria that could address its infrastructural challenges, feed its citizens, and provide adequate security for the people.

“The argument for the South-West in the south to complete their eight years has been canvassed; the argument for President Tinubu to complete his eight-year term has been said loud and clear.

”I am in support of this call, because it can’t be faulted. So for the sake of unity, equity, and fairness, President Tinubu deserves another term,” he said.

Former Senate President Ken Nnamani, while welcoming the former legislators to the event, lauded the initiative and urged them to continue to rally support for a united Nigeria.

In his address, Governor Dapo Abiodun said the president deserved another term and that all the forums should join forces with the rest of Nigerians to return the president to power in 2027.

The forum’s national coordinator, Raphael Igbokwe; former speaker of the House of Representatives, Patricia Etteh; and former Senate leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, attended the summit.

Also, the coordinator of the Forum of Former Northern Legislators, Rufai Chachangi, former House speaker Yakubu Dogara, and serving and past lawmakers.

(NAN)