The National Councillors Forum of Nigeria (NCFN) has declared its firm and exclusive support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, stating that it cannot and will not back any other presidential candidate.
The position was announced by the Forum’s National President, Hon. Evoh Okechukwu Nwikegwu, during the National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on Monday. The meeting was themed “The Way Forward for NCFN: Unity, Hope and Grassroots Development.”
Hon. Nwikegwu explained that the Forum’s decision is rooted in the tangible benefits local governments have received under the Tinubu administration. Central to this is the landmark 2024 Supreme Court judgment, secured at the instance of the President, which affirmed the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas. The ruling mandated that allocations from the Federation Account be paid directly into local government coffers, ending the previous practice of state control over these funds.
He noted that the Central Bank of Nigeria has since been directed to open dedicated accounts for local governments to receive these allocations. This development, he described as a “fiscal liberation” that has empowered councils and given councillors compelling reasons to rally behind the President’s second-term bid.
Beyond financial autonomy, the Forum cited progress under the Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly ongoing road infrastructure projects led by the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, and housing initiatives under the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, including the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme. These gains, Nwikegwu said, are visible at the grassroots and must be publicised by councillors as part of the case for continuity.
“As the closest tier of government to the people, councillors understand the aspirations of citizens and see the direct impact of these reforms,” Nwikegwu stated. “We cannot support another candidate when the current administration has delivered the most significant structural empowerment of local governments in recent history.”
He called on councillors nationwide to close ranks, mobilise support at the ward level, and shun all divisive tendencies as the election cycle approaches. Nwikegwu emphasised that a united Forum is essential if councillors are to deliver both grassroots development and effective political mobilisation. He warned against parallel leadership structures within the NCFN, affirming that he remains the sole recognised National President, and directed the Legal Adviser to investigate any unauthorised meetings held in the Forum’s name.
The Forum, which represents thousands of councillors across all 774 local government areas, pledged to inaugurate committees to strengthen collaboration with relevant government agencies. It urged members to ensure that the dividends of the administration’s programmes reach citizens directly, arguing that visible impact at the grassroots will itself serve as one of the strongest arguments for President Tinubu’s re-election.
“Power comes with responsibility,” Nwikegwu concluded. “People will judge us not by our titles, but by what we deliver in our wards. The period ahead of 2027 presents an opportunity for the Forum to reassert its relevance in both governance and the political process. A united and focused Forum is essential if we are to succeed.”