BY EMMA PETER, JOS
The Forum of Former Presiding Officers of State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria (FOPSHAN), Plateau State Chapter, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office, alongside Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The endorsement was announced on Friday, November 13, 2026, during the forum’s National Summit held at Crystal Hall, Crispan Hotel and Events Centre, Jos, Plateau State.
The summit, which brought together former presiding officers of state legislatures from across the country, was organised under the theme, “Bold Leadership, Bold Reforms: From Subsidy to Renewed Hope – Assessing the Economic Trajectory and Visionary Leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration.”
Speaking on the rationale behind the endorsement, Plateau State Coordinator of FOPSHAN, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Goar, described President Tinubu as the captain of a winning team, arguing that changing a winning team would not be in the interest of the country.
He explained that the endorsement was a reaffirmation of an earlier position taken by the national body of the forum following its previous engagement at the Presidential Villa.
Goar said the forum also endorsed Governor Mutfwang and his deputy, Ngo Josephine Piyo, as well as APC candidates contesting senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly seats in Plateau State.
According to him, the forum is confident of securing electoral victories for the party across the state, stressing that the achievements of the Tinubu administration and the developmental projects of the Plateau State Government would provide sufficient reasons to convince voters.
He described former presiding officers as important political stakeholders with established grassroots networks capable of mobilising support across constituencies.
Also speaking, former Plateau State Governor and Senator representing Plateau South, Senator Simon Bako Lalong, highlighted the importance of experienced legislators in strengthening democratic representation and effective lawmaking.
Lalong explained that former presiding officers had previously occupied legislative leadership positions and understood the expectations of their constituencies, making their voices significant in discussions about governance and political direction.
He noted that every constituency comprises several wards and that legislators who have established relationships with their constituents understand their needs and expectations.
According to him, the forum’s position reflects not only the views of its members but also the feelings and aspirations of the people they represent.
In her presentation, former member of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Beni Lar, shared her legislative experiences, highlighting various interventions and laws she supported during her years in the National Assembly.
Lar, who represented Langtang North/Langtang South Federal Constituency of Plateau State, spoke extensively on education, insecurity, human trafficking, protection of women and children, and renewable energy.
She recalled that during her legislative service, concerns about the increasing number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, particularly in Plateau State, informed her advocacy for improved access to education.
She explained that she supported initiatives aimed at making basic education more accessible, including scholarship opportunities and measures to reduce the financial burden on parents.
The former lawmaker also highlighted her involvement in the Safe Schools Initiative following the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, explaining that she participated in efforts to strengthen measures to protect pupils and ensure that schools remained safe learning environments.
On the protection of vulnerable persons, Lar spoke about legislative efforts to strengthen laws against human trafficking, explaining that amendments introduced tougher penalties for offenders who previously could escape with relatively minor fines.
She also highlighted the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, which she said provided stronger legal protection against different forms of violence, particularly those affecting women and children.
On energy development, she recalled advocating increased federal government investment in renewable energy through the Energy Commission of Nigeria, including a proposed allocation of 0.05 per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund to support renewable energy development.
Lar further stressed the importance of retaining experienced lawmakers in the National Assembly, warning that the frequent turnover of legislators could weaken institutional knowledge, legislative debates and effective representation.
She argued that experienced legislators understand the workings of the legislature, the needs of their constituencies and the processes required to develop effective policies and laws.
The former lawmaker urged Nigerians to support the APC candidates in the forthcoming elections, expressing confidence in the party’s ability to secure victories across Plateau State and beyond.
Similarly, former Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olusegun Bolanle Gbeleyi, described FOPSHAN as a formidable political platform with extensive grassroots structures across the country.
Gbeleyi, who represented Ado-Odo/Ota II State Constituency between 1999 and 2003, explained that the forum’s strength derived from its membership of former speakers and deputy speakers who had previously represented different constituencies and maintained political relationships within their communities.
He said the organisation had networks across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, covering the 774 local government areas, which he described as an important advantage in mobilising support for President Tinubu’s re-election.
According to him, members of the forum were already working through their established ward and polling-unit structures to mobilise voters for the APC.
He disclosed that in his Ogun West political base, he had established coordinators across 59 wards to strengthen grassroots mobilisation.
Gbeleyi also called on Nigerians to maintain peace and conduct themselves responsibly during the electoral process.
In a motion presented at the summit and subsequently seconded, members unanimously adopted the endorsement of President Tinubu, Governor Mutfwang and other APC candidates.
The forum expressed its commitment to mobilising support for the party’s candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
