A group of former federal lawmakers has rejected what they described as a “shameful, money-induced endorsement” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid by Former Legislators’ Forum.
This was made known in a strongly worded press statement signed by 17 former legislators and obtained by La Palabras.
The group accused organisers of the forum of orchestrating a cash-and-carry political endorsement aimed at manufacturing legitimacy for the Tinubu administration.
The signatories, alleged that the planned summit is “a rented crowd of hand-picked individuals” allegedly sponsored by desperate officials within the Presidency who believe political credibility can be bought through inducements, hotel banquets, and backroom deals.
“This is not consultation. This is not patriotism. This is not statesmanship,” the statement read, describing the endorsement as a commercial enterprise driven by displaced political actors seeking relevance, contracts, and patronage.
The former lawmakers warned Nigerians against being misled, noting that former legislators are not commodities and that no individual or group has the moral authority to speak on behalf of hundreds of ex-lawmakers nationwide.
Howbeit, the group praised initiatives such as House to the Rescue, which they said represents courage, accountability, and service to the Nigerian people rather than political opportunism.
The statement further challenged the Tinubu administration to earn a second term through performance, not propaganda.
“If this government deserves another mandate, let it show Nigerians tangible results—restored security, reduced hunger, job creation, and economic stability,” the statement said, adding that staged applause and rented endorsements cannot replace governance.
The former lawmakers, therefore, reaffirmed their commitment to democratic integrity.
“Nigeria’s democracy will not be auctioned to the highest bidder,” the statement saidLa Palabras reports that permutations for the coming 2027 general elections have begun with more dramas
