Nigeria's First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has urged former Speakers and Deputy Speakers of State Houses of Assembly to remain involved in public service after leaving political office, saying their experience can still contribute to democratic institutions and national development.

The First Lady spoke on Thursday at the National Summit of the Forum of Former Presiding Officers of State Houses of Assembly of Nigeria in Abuja, where the forum also endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 general election.

Tinubu said former legislative leaders possess institutional knowledge, experience and networks that could be used to mentor younger lawmakers, strengthen democratic stability and support development in their communities.

She urged members of the forum to continue participating in national affairs rather than viewing the end of elective office as the end of their contribution to the country.

FORMER LAWMAKERS ENDORSE TINUBU FOR 2027

The forum unanimously endorsed President Tinubu for a second term and pledged to mobilise its members and supporters across Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The former presiding officers also expressed support for the administration's economic reforms, including the removal of the petrol subsidy.

The forum said its members would engage Nigerians at national, state and local levels as part of its planned mobilisation.

It also called on the President and state governors to make greater use of the experience of former legislative leaders in government appointments and policy formulation.

FIRST LADY WELCOMES ENDORSEMENT

Oluremi Tinubu welcomed the forum's endorsement of her husband's second term bid, saying the support was significant because it came from people with experience leading legislative institutions.

She argued that former lawmakers understand the pressures associated with governance and difficult policy decisions.

The First Lady also said the administration had been working to reposition the economy and argued that reforms already undertaken should be consolidated for future generations. Those assessments reflected her position on the government's record.

LALONG BACKS SECOND TERM

Former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong also used the summit to support Tinubu's reelection bid.

Lalong argued that the President should be given another term to continue the economic reforms initiated by his administration, particularly following the removal of the petrol subsidy in May 2023.

He described the subsidy decision as difficult but necessary and called for resources freed by economic reforms to be directed towards agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, education, energy and technology.

Lalong's assessment of the subsidy policy and its potential benefits represents his political and economic argument. The policy has imposed significant costs on households and businesses since its introduction and remains a subject of political debate in Nigeria.

FORUM CALLS FOR STRONGER INSTITUTIONS

Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, a former Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly and chairman of the forum's Board of Trustees, stressed the importance of cooperation between the executive and legislative branches of government.

He argued that former lawmakers should remain engaged in national development and called for stronger legislative oversight and fiscal responsibility.

The summit therefore combined discussions about the continuing role of former lawmakers with an explicit political endorsement of President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.

The forum said it intends to take its resolutions across the country as members begin nationwide engagement and mobilisation.