Former Legislators of Kanke Local government of Plateau State under the auspices of the National Forum of Former Legislators, NFFL,at the weekend endorsed incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.
The group of Legislators who were members of the Senate,House of Representatives, House of Assembly and councillors came out in their large numbers to support the President’s re-election bid.
The endorsement was adopted during the inauguration of the Kanke LGA Chapter of the NFFL which was performed by its National Coordinator, Rt Hon Nnanna Ralph Igbokwe.
Inaugurating the local chapter of the forum, the National Coordinator appreciates the prevailing unity among Former Legislators which has enabled the Forum to be visible at the federal level and urged Former Legislators at all levels to unite politically to sustain their relevance in politics.
He commended Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, the President’s Chief of staff for his vision in convening such a strategic reunion of veteran parliamentarians, saying as experienced law makers, they have alot to contribute to the nation’s growing democracy. He said party differences should not limit our unity and that the goal of the forum is not just to ensure unity among Former lawmakers, but to serve as institutional memory and custodians of knowledge to serving Legislators and governments at all levels.
According to Igbokwe, two time former member of the House of Representatives from Imo State, the level of cooperation among former lawmakers across the country is exceptionally encouraging and that alot has been achieved within the shortest period of its existence which began about 5 months ago with a southern summit in Abeokuta some weeks ago.
The northern version of the NFFl summit is billed for 29th November in Abuja.
Igbokwe congratulated Kanke LGA and Plateau state for having the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Prof Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, saying its a good omen for political development.
Earlier in his welcoming speech, the Plateau state Coordinator of the NFFL, Dr Golu Timothy appreciates the vision of the convener, Rt Hon Gbajabiamila,saying the forum has restored lost relationships and opened new opportunities among the former legislators by the frequent and increasing contacts among themselves.
He said the forum has been able to push for amendments of some laws which affects the interest and welfare of the former legislators at the National Assembly and commended the federal lawmakers for their support.
For example, former state and federal lawmakers will now be automatic delegates at their party’s national conventions if passed into law, a political situation that was not supported by all the political parties.
In his submission,the Majority Leader of the state House of Assembly and member representing Kanke in the state legislature, Hon Joseph Gokum commended the former legislators for laying such a foundation for the continous engagement and interaction among veterans and expressed optimism that with such unity, political stability and development is guaranteed.
Hon Gokum who also represented the Speaker, Rt Hon Naanlong Daniel Gapyil, added that with President Tinubu,Vice President Shettima and other key officials of the federal government being former legislators, the sky remains the limit for our success.
In his goodwill message, second Republic Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Akawu Dahiru commended the resolve of the fmr Legislators to unite and pursue common interest.
He said, the forum has received the blessings of the president because he himself is a member and therefore will be glad to assist his colleagues grow politically.
Akawu commended the Kanke veteran parliamentarians for supporting President Tinubu and Prof Nentawe in their respective offices and orayed for their successes.Hon Amos Gombi, 6th House of Assembly member of the Plateau State House of Assembly moved the motion for the endorsement of the president.
Other speakers who spoke include, Hon Zachariak Goshang, 4th Republic state lawmakers who is the kanke LGA chair.an of the state Legislators forum and former council legislative leader,Hon Dudung Kaye. They all appreciate the convener of the forum and all former lawmakers at all levels for their cooperation and support for the forum. All the former Legislators expressed appreciation to Mr President for finding Kanke worthy of producing the National Chairman of a ruling party out of the 774 LGAs.
They pledged to reciprocate this kind gesture by ensuring their son Prof Yitwada succeeds and assure of landslide victory for Mr President in Kanke LGA in the 2027 general elections.