Political office exit must not end public service — First Lady

Leaving political office should not mark the end of public service, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu said on Thursday, as she urged former Speakers and Deputy Speakers of state Houses of Assembly to continue deploying their experience to national development.

Tinubu spoke in Abuja at the National Summit of the Forum of Former Presiding Officers of State Houses of Assembly of Nigeria, where she called on the former legislative leaders to remain active in public life by mentoring younger legislators, strengthening democratic institutions and preserving institutional memory.

The summit also witnessed the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 general elections by the former Speakers and Deputy Speakers, who pledged to mobilise their members nationwide in support of his re-election.

According to a statement issued by the Presidency, she said Nigeria still needed the wisdom, experience and networks of former presiding officers, urging them to deploy their experience towards strengthening democratic institutions, mentoring younger legislators and preserving institutional memory.

“This summit is a celebration of service, leadership, experience and sacrifice. Leaving political office should never mean leaving public service.

“Nigeria still needs your wisdom, experience and networks. I therefore urge you to use this forum as a platform for preserving institutional memory, mentoring younger legislators, promoting democratic stability, and continuing to contribute to the development of the various communities where we serve,” she said.

She said the former Speakers and Deputy Speakers had occupied critical positions in Nigeria’s democratic institutions and made significant contributions to legislation, governance and development in their respective states.

On the forum’s endorsement of President Tinubu’s 2027 bid, she expressed appreciation, saying the backing was significant because it came from people who had themselves occupied senior positions within the legislative arm of government.

“I especially acknowledge and appreciate your endorsement of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, for his second term in office.

“Coming from men and women who have themselves presided over legislative institutions, your endorsement carries special significance. You understand the demands of governance, the difficulty of making critical decisions, and the courage required to pursue reforms in the national interest,” she said.

The First Lady said the administration had, since its inception, been working to reposition the Nigerian economy and lay a foundation for sustainable national development.

“Since the inception of this administration, Mr President has worked tirelessly to reposition an economy and lay a solid foundation for sustainable national development.

“Nation building is a continuous process, and the gains already recorded must be consolidated for the benefit of the present and future generations,” she said.

She also congratulated the former presiding officers for travelling from different parts of the country to attend the summit, saying their presence demonstrated continued commitment to national service.

The forum, in its resolutions, endorsed the administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy, and resolved to take the message of the summit to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

It also endorsed Tinubu for a second term in office.

“In recognition of the President’s colourful, visionary leadership and commitment to national development, FOPSHAN unanimously endorses President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for a second term in office in the 2027 general elections,” the resolution stated.

The former lawmakers pledged to mobilise their members nationwide and engage former legislators at national, state and local government levels in sensitisation and mobilisation.

The forum also called on President Tinubu and state governors to draw on the legislative experience of former presiding officers in government appointments and policy formulation.

“The conference calls on the President and governors to continue to tap into the wealth of legislative experience of former presiding officers in appointments and policy formulation for the good governance of the country,” the resolution stated.

Former Plateau State Governor and former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Simon Lalong, also called for Tinubu’s return in 2027, arguing that the President should be allowed to complete the economic reforms initiated by his administration.

Speaking as a guest speaker at the summit, Lalong said Tinubu had demonstrated the courage to take difficult decisions, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy.

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Lalong said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has exemplified those bold steps and come 2027, Nigerians will reward him to complete the great work.”

He said the subsidy regime had allowed Nigeria to continue consuming resources without adequately investing in productive capacity.

“For decades, Nigeria consumed what we did not produce. We succeeded in making our future children pay for cheap petrol,” he said.

Lalong added, “Everyone knew the truth, but no leader dared to confront it.”

He said the subsidy removal announced by Tinubu on May 29, 2023, was a painful but necessary decision.

“It was not an easy decision. It was not a politically convenient decision. But sometimes, leadership is tested not by the decisions that are easy to make, but by the courage to make decisions that the moment demands,” he said.

Lalong said the next phase of the reform agenda should focus on converting resources freed by the reforms into productive investments.

“We must invest in agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, education, energy, and technology,” he said.

He urged political leaders to help Nigerians understand the rationale behind the reforms.

“President Tinubu has done his part by taking the bold decision. Our part is to help our people understand that the pains of today are the gains of tomorrow.”

He added, “We must tell Nigerians that bold leadership is not about being popular today; it is about being right for society.”

Lalong also called for stronger legislative oversight, fiscal responsibility and democratic institutions, saying the reform process required courage from the executive, responsibility from the legislature, discipline across government and patience from Nigerians.

“The journey from subsidy to Renewed Hope is a journey from dependency to productivity, from consumption to investment, and from short-term fix to long-term economic transformation.

“It is a journey that requires courage from the executive, responsibility from the legislatures, discipline across government, and patience from the people.”

He added, “President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated the courage to begin this difficult journey. Our responsibility is to ensure that reforms succeed, that their gains are consolidated, and that Nigerians emerge stronger, more productive, more prosperous.”

The forum’s Board of Trustees Chairman and Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, a former Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, stressed the importance of cooperation between the executive and legislature.

“Those years taught me an enduring lesson. Governance is not the responsibility of the executive alone; it is a partnership between institutions,” he said.

Nwifuru urged greater investment in agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, education, energy and technology.

“We must invest in agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, education, energy and technology. We must create an environment where Nigerians can produce more, businesses can grow, and young people can find meaningful opportunities,” he said.

He also called for stronger legislative oversight and fiscal responsibility, saying former presiding officers had a continuing role to play in national development.

“We have occupied the chambers where laws are made, scrutinised, and the voices of our constituents were amplified. We therefore cannot afford to be spectators in the journey of national development,” he said.