Former lawmakers under the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL) have called for Nigeria’s rotational presidency between the north and south to be formally enshrined in the constitution, arguing that it is necessary to reduce political tension and strengthen national unity.
The forum made the call at its 2026 national summit held in Abuja on Saturday. The meeting, convened by Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to the president and former speaker of the house of representatives, was themed “National Unity and Nation Building: Beyond 2031.”
In a communiqué issued after the summit, the NFFL urged the national assembly to remove what it described as ambiguity around power sharing by constitutionally entrenching the rotational principle. According to the forum, Nigeria’s existing political arrangement implies that the presidency should rotate to the north in 2031, following the completion of President Bola Tinubu’s tenure.
The former legislators also endorsed Tinubu for a second term, adopting him as their sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election. They passed a vote of confidence in his administration, citing the need for continuity and stability.
The communiqué stated that constitutional backing for rotational presidency would “eliminate doubt, reduce political tension and build enduring trust” between the northern and southern regions. It added that such a move would promote fairness, strengthen national unity and provide clarity for future generations.
The forum further resolved to support Tinubu to complete what it described as the full term traditionally accorded to a southern presidency, stressing that continuity of reforms was critical to democratic consistency and national cohesion.
In his address, Gbajabiamila urged political actors to respect the principle of rotational presidency as a stabilising force in Nigeria’s democracy. He warned against exploiting ethnic, tribal or religious sentiments as a means to political power, saying such tactics could cause lasting harm to national unity.
According to him, rotational presidency was not a sign of weakness but a product of political wisdom, designed to ensure inclusion and stability in a diverse country like Nigeria. He added that political competition should never be allowed to inflame religious or ethnic divisions.
