Ekiti ex-legislators back Tinubu, Oyebanji for second term

The Ekiti State Chapter of the National Forum of Former Legislators has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office, citing his positive impact and reforms.

The forum, which also expressed its backing for the reelection bid of Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, resolved to mobilise grassroots support for his victory in the June 20 election.

These were contained in a communique issued at the end of the forum’s meeting signed by the General Coordinator for the state chapter, Dr Ife Arowosoge, and Member, Advisory Council, Bimbo Daramola, made available in Ado Ekiti on Saturday.

The meeting, where the state chapter was formally inaugurated, had in attendance former public office holders drawn from the National Assembly, Ekiti State House of Assembly and representatives of former councillors from the 177 wards across the state.

The Chief of Staff to the President and Convener of the forum, Femi Gbajabiamila, represented by the NFFL National Coordinator, Raphael Igbokwe, inaugurated the state chapter.

The members, according to the communique, “unanimously agreed to make available and deploy their wealth of legislative and governance experience to provide advisory support and strategic insights aimed at enhancing effective service delivery in government at all levels”.

Arowosoge and Daramola stated that “NFFL stands as a permanent reservoir of experience and expertise, readily available for national development and effective mobilisation of citizens in support of government policies and programmes”.

The former lawmakers aligned with the NFFL national body’s position in advocating for the constitutional entrenchment of a rotational presidency between Northern and Southern Nigeria.

They stated, “In this regard, the Forum supports the continuation of the presidency in Southern Nigeria to complete its constitutionally implied eight-year tenure, after which it should rotate to the North in the spirit of equity, fairness, and national unity.”

The Forum unanimously endorsed Tinubu for a second term in office, acknowledging his reform-driven leadership and the positive impact of his policies on Nigeria’s economic revitalisation, educational advancement and national stability.

The endorsement, they said, was in line with its national body’s adoption of Tinubu “as the most credible and service-oriented candidate for the 2027 presidential election”.

They added, “The Forum further endorsed Governor Oyebanji for a second term to consolidate and complete the ongoing transformative development agenda in Ekiti State.”

The Forum resolved to mobilise widespread grassroots and institutional support for Oyebanji in his bid for a second term in office, in recognition of his developmental strides and commitment to the progress of the state.

Arowosoge and Daramola expressed appreciation to Gbajabiamila “for his foresight and initiative in establishing the NFFL as an enduring political and governance platform” and reaffirmed the Ekiti chapter’s commitment to unity, progressive engagement, and the advancement of democratic values in Ekiti State and Nigeria.