The National Councillors Forum of Nigeria has formally endorsed President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for re-election in 2027, citing the restoration of Local Government autonomy as a historic milestone for grassroots development across the country.
The endorsement was announced on Wednesday at a news conference in Abuja, where the forum described the Tinubu administration’s policies as transformational and said the President’s “Renewed Hope” agenda is already yielding tangible results in rural communities nationwide.
The forum, which comprises serving and former councillors, said its members are uniquely positioned to assess the impact of federal policies at the grassroots level.
“As the closest arm of government to the people, councillors understand the aspirations of citizens and can see firsthand the impact of the President’s strategic reforms,” the group said.
Speaking on behalf of the forum were its President, Dr. Evoh Okechukwu Nwikegwu; Hon. Hyacinth Horvel Turnoe, National Coordinator of ST/HT Grassroots Coordinators of Development; and Chief Okorie Ikechukwu Raphael, National Coordinator of the Citizens Network for Peace and Development.
The forum highlighted its extensive national structure, boasting a network of 8,809 councillors spread across all 774 local government areas and 176,836 polling units, describing itself as one of the most influential grassroots political platforms in Nigeria.
According to the group, the restoration of Local Government autonomy remains the Tinubu administration’s crowning achievement, describing it as a game changer for funding, accountability and effective service delivery at the grassroots.
“This bold move, alongside improvements in rural infrastructure and strategic reforms in agriculture, has laid a solid foundation for sustainable national prosperity,” the forum stated.
Members also commended the President’s efforts to strengthen national security, particularly through the modernization of the Armed Forces and enhanced intelligence coordination.
The councillors called for nationwide mobilisation ahead of future elections, urging ward leaders and grassroots coordinators to take the message of the Tinubu administration to every household in the country.
They maintained that President Tinubu has shown the courage, vision and competence required to deserve a second term in office to consolidate his reforms.
On his part, Chief Okorie Ikechukwu Raphael appealed to Nigerians to allow the National Assembly the space to deliver on the amended version of the Electoral Act, stressing that institutional reforms remain critical to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
