•Southern summit of national forum of former legislators held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Saturday to endorse Tinubu for 2nd term
Political analysts and pundits yesterday reacted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s endorsement by former federal lawmakers in Abeokuta, saying only Nigerians can save him in 2027.
President Tinubu has received several endorsements from many support groups, and individuals including some opposition governors in the country, reports Daily Trust.
In May this year, he was endorsed and adopted by all organs of his party – the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the sole candidate for the 2027 presidential poll, during the party’s summit held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Gbajabiamila rallies ex-ex-lawmakers for Tinubu’s 2nd term
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and a delegation of former federal lawmakers at the weekend endorsed the president for re-election in 2027.
Gbajabiamila confirmed this in a post on his X account, after he led the delegation of National Forum of Former Legislators, to the southern summit held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He said the gathering brought together past senators and members of the House of Representatives from across political divides to reaffirm their commitment to national unity and democratic progress of the country.
Gbajabiamila said, “I convened the National Forum of Former Legislators’ southern summit at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, where ex-lawmakers united across party and regional lines, discussed the need for unity, nation-building, and the achievements of the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
“It was an opportunity to brief my former colleagues in the legislature on the policy reforms of this administration. The summit acknowledged the relevance and importance of these former lawmakers in the Senatorial districts and constituencies they once represented.
“The gathering demonstrated the shared commitment to national unity, justice, and fairness for Nigeria’s progress, and brought together distinguished leaders to pledge full support for much-needed reforms that advance the country’s cause.”
The Chief of Staff to the President further said, “As convener, I celebrate the patriotism and commitment shown by all who attended. While we recognise that the journey of reform will require sacrifice and time, our vision for Nigeria is clearer and our resolve stronger than ever. Together, we remain dedicated to strengthening our unity and supporting reforms that secure lasting progress for every citizen.”
In his message, the host, Governor Dapo Abiodun, noted that nation-building is not the sole responsibility of one region, one party, or an institution, but a shared duty that transcends tribal, religious, political, and economic divides.
“You must be committed to a united, secure, and economically vibrant region. You must continue to support policies and programmes that promote inclusive governance, human capital development, and inter-regional cooperation,” he said.
Chairman of the occasion, Senator Ken Nnamani, in his opening remarks, stressed the need for former legislators to come together to deliberate on the challenges confronting the nation and proffer workable solutions to the government.
A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, also urged Nigerians not to allow “pretenders” in the political space to cause them to lose faith in the Tinubu-led administration, observing that the agitations of the so-called pretenders are not about patriotism, but more about “vengeance and power.”
Similarly, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Patricia Etteh, called for cohesion, dialogue, and shared purpose to navigate the journey of sustainable development.
National Coordinator of the Summit, Hon. Raphael Igbokwe, gave the assurance that the meeting would serve as a platform to find solutions to the nation’s problems.
Analysts weigh in
But political analysts and pundits have argued that political endorsements don’t necessarily translate to victory in elections.
A political analyst, Aminu Yakudima, told our correspondent in a telephone interview last night that the endorsement is not an automatic ticket for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Yakudima said the most important thing is for the president to deliver on his 2023 campaign promises to Nigerians, stressing that is the only way he can secure citizens’ votes for a second term.
The analyst said, “There was an endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election. So many support groups came up and endorsed him, many political parties and splinter groups endorsed him to continue and it didn’t happen.
“So this is not an automatic ticket that he (Tinubu) would be re-elected in 2027. Endorsements do not necessarily give an incumbent president victory in an election.
“What is important is for the president to be more focused and drive the ‘renewed hope’ agenda in a manner that would take Nigerians out of the current predicament.
“Citizens are really facing hardship. His policies are not yielding positive results. There is a need for more efforts and more legislation so that the government will be seen to be performing better.”
Speaking further, Yakudima said, “If the president is doing well, he doesn’t need endorsement from politicians, Nigerians will ask him to continue without hiccups.
“But when you begin to have the emergence of sycophants, singing praises, and saying that they endorsed the president, that’s not how it works.
“The most important thing is for the government to be more active, more productive, more transformative and to be ready to deliver on the ‘renewed hope’ agenda.”
Another political analyst, Jackson Lekan Ojo, also told our correspondent last night that the endorsement may not translate to victory in 2027.
Ojo said, the president must make life better for Nigerians to secure seamless victory in 2027.
“What is the political relevance of the former lawmakers who endorsed him? What is their electoral value? What is Dogara’s electoral value in Bauchi State today and a host of others?
“Nigerians are tired of these people. So it doesn’t matter; endorsement doesn’t translate to victory. These people are nervous because they know that the government has failed to deliver on its campaign promises.
“The product they are marketing has added no value to Nigerians. The marketers, who are they? What have they contributed to the development of this country?” he queried.
Ojo further said, “They are praise singers. Nigerians are suffering and they hold the key to Tinubu’s return in 2027. The most important thing is that Mr President should deliver on his promises to Nigerians, then they will vote for him again in 2027. But the endorsement in Abeokuta, to me, was just a way to share money again.”
A political scientist, and former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bernard Mikko, however, told our correspondent that the endorsement is premature.
He argued that the endorsement serves as a morale booster for President Tinubu, but said it’s premature since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to lift the ban on political campaigns.
In his contribution, an elder statesman and former presidential candidate who has retired from partisan politics, Chief Chekwas Okorie, told our correspondent that “the endorsement means nothing. It’s just political posturing.”
Chief Okorie said, “The endorsement does not amount to anything that can be taken to the bank as far as elections are concerned. The presidency seems to be showing signs of panic based on some of the measures they are taking to give the impression that the president is receiving national endorsement.”
