Ex-lawmakers seek constitutional backing for north/south rotational presidency

The National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL) has called for the constitutional entrenchment of the rotational presidency between the northern and southern parts, describing it as a necessary step to promote equity, reduce political tension and strengthen national unity ahead of future elections.

The call formed the centrepiece of resolutions reached at the 2026 National Summit of the Forum at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, under the theme “National Unity and Nation Building: Beyond 2031.” 

The summit was convened by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

In a communiqué at the end of the meeting, the former lawmakers said enshrining the rotational principle in the Constitution would eliminate doubts, build enduring trust between the North and the South, and provide clarity for future generations. 

They noted that such a step would promote fairness, inclusion and democratic stability in Africa’s most populous country.

The Forum further affirmed that, in line with the spirit of equity and national balance, the presidency should rotate to the North in 2031 following the completion of the current southern presidency under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The former legislators also resolved to support the continuity of the present administration’s reforms, stressing that stability and democratic consistency required President Tinubu to complete the full eight-year tenure traditionally accorded to the South. 

In that context, the Forum passed a vote of absolute confidence in the Tinubu administration and adopted him as its sole candidate for the 2027 general election.

Emphasising the importance of dialogue in sustaining Nigeria’s democracy, the Forum reaffirmed its commitment to national dialogue, consultation and peaceful engagement as the preferred tools for resolving political, social and regional challenges. 

Gbajabiamila described the Forum as a unique national asset, stressing that its members were not passive observers of Nigeria’s democratic journey but active participants who helped shape critical moments in the nation’s history. 

He said the institutional memory represented by former legislators must be deliberately harnessed to guide present decisions and future pathways.

Explaining the significance of the summit’s theme, he said the emphasis on “beyond 2031” underscored the fact that nation-building was a continuous process and not the responsibility of any single administration. 

He urged leaders to consistently communicate that disagreement is not hostility, diversity is not disloyalty, and compromise in the national interest is an act of statesmanship.

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Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin,  reaffirmed his support for the rotational presidency, describing it as a stabilising principle that has brought sanity to Nigeria’s polity since the advent of the Fourth Republic.

He stressed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should be allowed to complete his tenure in the interest of continuity and national stability.

He commended the convener of the summit, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and the leadership of the Forum for what he described as a timely and visionary initiative that brought together former legislators from across the federation to reflect on Nigeria’s democratic journey.

The Deputy Senate President described former lawmakers as invaluable national assets, noting that their experience, institutional memory and insights remain critical as Nigeria continues to grapple with challenges of governance, national cohesion, economic reform and institutional trust.

According to him, many of the democratic norms and legislative traditions currently guiding the National Assembly were shaped by the courage, debates and compromises of past legislators, adding that the legislature continues to benefit from the foundation they laid.

Jibrin said platforms such as the NFFL summit provide an avenue for former lawmakers to mentor younger legislators, promote legislative professionalism and contribute to national discourse beyond partisan divisions.

He assured the Forum of the National Assembly’s openness to collaboration, noting that governance does not end with tenure and that patriotism remains a lifelong responsibility.

He urged participants to use the summit to generate ideas and partnerships that would strengthen democracy and promote a more united and prosperous Nigeria.

In attendance were former Senate President, Pius Anyim; former House Speakers, Patricia Etteh and Yakubu Dogara; and Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo among other former federal and state lawmakers, as well as other dignitaries.