ABEOKUTA - In a significant political development that could shape the landscape of the 2027 general elections, former National Assembly member and prominent Ogun State APC gubernatorial aspirant, Honourable Jelili Kayode Amusan, joined former legislators from across southern Nigeria to unanimously endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office. The endorsement emerged from the Southern Summit of Former Legislators held on Saturday at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Kuto, Abeokuta.

The summit, which brought together political heavyweights from the southern region, saw former lawmakers acknowledge and applaud President Tinubu's economic reforms and nation-building efforts, declaring their firm support for his continuation in office beyond 2027.

The high-profile event attracted notable political figures from across the country, including:

· Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (Convener)

· Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun (Host)

· Former Senate President, Sen. Ken Nnamani (Chairman of the occasion)

· Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara

· Former House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Patricia Etteh

· APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru

· Former Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma Egba

· National Coordinator of NFFL, Hon. Raphael Igbokwe

The presence of Honourable Kayode Amusan, who represented Abeokuta North, Obafemi-Owode, and Odeda Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and is now a frontrunner for the APC gubernatorial ticket in Ogun State, added significant weight to the proceedings. This show of support is particularly noteworthy given that Amusan had previously distanced himself from premature endorsement reports regarding the Ogun gubernatorial race, demonstrating his commitment to party discipline and due process.

In their communiqué, the former legislators highlighted various reforms implemented by the Tinubu administration that have "re-engineered the economy, strengthened the currency, and set the nation on the path of socio-economic recovery" within the past two years. They emphasised the need for state governments to align with these reforms and support the President's efforts to build a new Nigeria.

Speaking at the summit, the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, highlighted the administration's economic accomplishments, noting that with the signing of the tax reforms into law, President Tinubu has "ushered in a new era of economic justice built on fairness, accountability, and national purpose."

Gbajabiamila cited recent World Bank Development Update figures showing Nigeria's economy expanded by 4.6 per cent in the final quarter of 2024, pushing annual growth to 3.4 per cent—the fastest pace in a decade. He further revealed that the country's fiscal deficit had narrowed from 5.4 per cent of Gross Domestic Product in 2023 to 3 per cent in 2024, while federation revenues surged from N16.8 trillion in 2023 to an estimated N31.9 trillion in 2024.

These economic indicators align with earlier assessments by international financial institutions and credit rating agencies that have applauded Tinubu's reforms, including the removal of the costly petrol subsidy and exchange rate liberalisation.

The theme of the summit, "National Unity: Bedrock of Nation Building," resonated throughout the proceedings, with speaker after speaker emphasising the importance of unity for national development.

Gbajabiamila stressed that "without national unity, there could be no national development," adding that "a nation without peace cannot experience progress." He noted that Nigeria can draw strength and inspiration from its diverse culture, music, arts, and traditions, describing nation-building as a joint task that goes beyond infrastructure development to include "forging a sense of common identity and purpose among the citizens."

The Chief of Staff highlighted President Tinubu's establishment of development commissions across the six geopolitical regions as evidence of his commitment to purposeful leadership, noting that these commissions would help channel federal resources to infrastructure and human capital development nationwide.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, host of the event, echoed these sentiments, stating that nation-building isn't the sole responsibility of one region, party, or institution but "a shared duty that transcends tribal, religious, political, and economic divides." He emphasised that unity does not mean uniformity but rather "a celebration of diversity under the framework of justice, equity, and respect."

The endorsement from southern former legislators comes on the heels of similar support from various regions and groups across the country. The South-South APC zone had previously endorsed Tinubu and four governors for re-election in 2027, while the Northern Caucus of the National Forum of Former Legislators has also thrown its weight behind Tinubu's second-term bid.

Similarly, the South-West Zonal Executives Committee of the APC has designed programs for the success of President Tinubu's second-term ambition, with South-West Zonal Chairman Isaac Kekemeke stating that their goal is to ensure the region electorally supports Tinubu in the same way the Northwest consistently supported the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

In Ogun State specifically, the Ogun West Assembly for Tinubu (OWAT) has pledged to deliver a minimum of 250,000 votes for the President in the 2027 election, citing his administration's attention to the previously marginalised district.

Former Senate President Ken Nnamani, chairman of the occasion, stressed the importance of former legislators coming together to deliberate on national challenges and proffer workable solutions to the government.

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara 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 these individuals are "not about patriotism, but more about vengeance and power." He affirmed that the country has begun to experience economic recovery despite challenges.

Former House Speaker Patricia Etteh called for cohesion, dialogue, and shared purpose to navigate the journey of sustainable development, emphasising that unity remains a crucial ingredient for peace and democratic progress.

National Coordinator of the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), Hon. Raphael Igbokwe, assured that the summit would serve as a platform for finding solutions to the nation's problems and urged subnational governments to collaborate with the federal government in moving the nation forward.

Honourable Jelili Kayode Amusan's participation in this endorsement event holds particular significance for Ogun State politics. A two-term federal lawmaker who represented Abeokuta North/Obafemi-Owode/Odeda federal constituency between 2003 and 2011, Amusan has maintained a visible presence in the political landscape despite previously distancing himself from premature gubernatorial endorsement reports.

His alignment with the Tinubu endorsement underscores his commitment to the APC's national agenda and potentially strengthens his position within the party as the 2027 elections approach. Amusan's presence among other political heavyweights at this summit signals his continued relevance in both state and national politics.

The Southern Summit of Former Legislators in Abeokuta represents another significant building block in President Tinubu's evolving campaign for a second term. The endorsement from experienced lawmakers across the southern region, coupled with similar support from other zones, suggests a consolidating base of political support for the administration despite ongoing economic challenges.

As the 2027 elections approach, the Tinubu administration appears to be leveraging its incumbency advantage and building a broad coalition of support across regional and party lines. The participation of influential politicians like Honourable Kayode Amusan indicates that state-level actors are aligning themselves with the Tinubu agenda, potentially creating a formidable political machine for the upcoming electoral contest.

The communiqué issued at the end of the summit emphasised the need for continuity, allowing President Tinubu to consolidate the gains of his first-term reforms and fully implement his vision for national renewal. With approximately two years until the next presidential election, this endorsement from southern former legislators represents an early but significant show of strength for the Tinubu 2027 campaign.