By Levinus Nwabughiogu
The idea was novel. The passion unparalleled and the commitment unwavering. Never in the political annals of Nigeria has it ever been thought into reality, but it happened, giving vent to a new democratic structure and institution: the Nigerian Former Legislators Forum (NFLF).
Often overlooked is the vast reservoir of technical expertise, intellectual rigor, and legislative acumen that departs with each outgoing lawmaker at any level of democratic voyage, whether due to electoral defeat or term expiration. While democracy’s cyclical nature empowers the electorate to shape their representation, the wealth of experience and insight accumulated by these lawmakers remains invaluable. Put succinctly, former legislators, in particular, possess a treasure trove of knowledge, garnered from years of navigating the complexities of governance, crafting legislation and representing their constituents. This experience-based expertise positions them as indispensable assets, capable of providing informed guidance and strategic counsel to current lawmakers, policymakers and future leaders.
So, in a powerful display of unity and purpose, they converged. From the local government areas to the state, up to the national levels, a sea of former but seasoned lawmakers flooded the Enugu maiden summit of the Nigerian Former Legislators Forum (NFLF), held at the newly built International Conference Centre (ICC), filling the hall to capacity. Of course, their collective presence undoubtedly signified a milestone event that signposted the making of a new chapter in the nation’s democratic journey.
Amongst them were former Senate Presidents Ken Nnamani and Anyim Pius Anyim; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara; former Speaker and currently, Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila who was represented; former Deputy of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha and former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah. There was also a host of former this and former that in the room who graced the occasion.
The membership of the Forum also spans further to include the current political office holders at the highest echelon of government who by the virtue of their political backgrounds passed through the legislature. These include President Bola Ahmed who was a senator in botched third Republic in 1992.Vice President Kashim Shettima who was part of the 9th Senate. The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume who spent quality times at the Senate.
The gathering was not a product of a big bang. It speaks to the visionary leadership of the Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, who recognized the wealth of experience and insight these former legislators possess. As the initiator of the Forum and convener of the summit, Kalu underscored the crucial role the former lawmakers can play in shaping Nigeria’s future.
For him, the collective wisdom, garnered from years of lawmaking, can provide invaluable mentorship to current and aspiring legislators. Their experience in navigating the complexities of governance can inform policy decisions, ensuring that the lessons of the past shape a better future for Nigeria.
By convening the august meeting, the Deputy Speaker understands that harnessing this wealth of knowledge positions NFLF to serve as a think tank that can offer strategic counsel and promote good governance.
Delivering his remarks at the Summit, Kalu said: “Today, we gather not merely as individuals but as custodians of Nigeria’s legislative heritage. The formation of the Nigerian Former Legislators Forum marks a pivotal moment in our nation’s journey toward institutionalizing the wisdom of those who have shaped our democracy. We are witnesses to the fact that many key figures steering our nation today began their journeys in the hallowed chambers of the legislature. I want us to recall our collective knowledge to know that: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose legislative acumen in the Senate in the 3rd Republic laid the groundwork for his renowned transformative governance. First Lady H.E. Senator Remi Tinubu, whose advocacy for social justice was honed in the Senate. Vice President H.E. Senator Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), are all products of legislative rigor. Governors like H.E. Hope Uzodinma (Imo), H.E. Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), H.E. Ademola Adeleke (Osun), H.E. Douye Diri (Bayelsa), and H.E. Umar Bago (Niger)-each a testament to the legislature’s role as a crucible of leadership. Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, CFR, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, whose leadership advanced critical legislative reforms and strengthened parliamentary oversight. His Excellency Chief Emeka Ihedioha, CFR, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and former Governor of Imo State, whose dedication to democratic ideals and effective governance remains exemplary. His Excellency, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON, former President of the Nigerian Senate, who is here with us, whose statesmanship continues to inspire. And Senator Ken Nnamani, former President of the Senate, who is with us today, whose courageous stand against a presidential third-term bid in 2006 reaffirmed his commitment to constitutional order and democratic principles.
“This constellation of leaders underscores an unfiltered truth: the legislature is the forge where Nigeria’s finest leaders are shaped. The NFLF must harness this reservoir of wisdom to strengthen our democracy.”
The Deputy Speaker also made allusions to other climes such as the United States of America, Indonesia and South Africa where such associations have impacted their society, submitting that Nigeria cannot live in isolation. He distilled a plethora of expectations from the Forum.
“Here in Nigeria, our NFLF must rise to meet four imperatives. First, pension security. Unlike the U.S. or South Africa, we lack a unified framework. Let us adopt a hybrid model: contributory schemes for sustainability, paired with non-contributory safeguards for indigent retirees. Mirroring the U.S., we could allow partial pension computation for an immediate needs lifeline for those transitioning to private life.
“Beyond pension, the Forum must champion the holistic welfare of its members, supporting one another politically, socially, and economically. We must form a strong policy-pressure group and legislative-lobbying arm to advocate for our collective interests within the corridors of power. In doing so, we recognise that the nation has invested vast resources in training each legislator present here; allowing that investment to go to waste upon leaving office should be discouraged at all costs. This platform will reduce the pressures on those who lose elections by providing mentorship, networking opportunities, and pathways into new careers and public service roles.
“Third, institutionalizing expertise. Former legislators are reservoirs of insight, not relics. The NFLF must establish a Knowledge Bureau to document legislative best practices and launch Congressional Study Groups on critical issues like the economy, security, foreign policy, and trade. Let us partner with universities, as the U.S. does, deploying former members as ambassadors for civic literacy on campuses and in communities.
“Fourth, privileges and facilities. Inspired by the U.S., we should grant lifetime ID cards for National Assembly access, certain privileges for post-tenure transitions like healthcare insurance, and parking in legislative complexes. These courtesies, overseen by bipartisan committees, honour service while preventing abuse.
“The NFLF’s institutional framework must mirror global rigour. An Executive Committee with staggered terms will ensure continuity, while an Advisory Board of corporate and policy experts will guide strategic partnerships. Funding will rely on endowment funds, membership dues, corporate donations, and a grants self-sustaining model similar to the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC)”, he said.
Some notable ex-lawmakers who spoke at the gathering lauded Kalu’s legislative ingenuity, saying that Forum must contribute to national growth.
“Permit me to profusely thank the convener, HE the Deputy Speaker and those that have toiled day and night to cradle and nurture this noble idea to the climax which we are all witnessing now. Let me also quickly thank all the stakeholders present here, for making time out of your overcrowded schedule in order to answer this call to action, which we hope will help in no small measure in shaping our collective destiny as a people and ensuring national progress and advancement.
“Esteemed colleagues, today, we gather to discuss a critical aspect of our democratic journey: the role of former legislators in deepening our democracy. As individuals who have played crucial roles in shaping our country’s laws and policies, we have a unique opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of our democracy. I know majority of you gathered here by virtue of the fact that I served with you for sixteen unbroken years during which I had the privilege of presiding over the house and I can attest to the rich pedigree we can collectively bring to the table, any day. This has made my job easy because I am talking to leaders who have seen it all and who know the subject better than I do”, former speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara said in his address at the meeting.
Similarly, former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha also commended Kalu for the initiative.
He said: “You said this is a conference of former legislators but you’re not former, which means you decided to associate with your former colleagues. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is indeed, your brother. The Deputy Speaker, it’s time to deepen our democracy, redefine democracy as a government of the people, by the people and for the people. I want to urge all of you, let’s have a change of heart, pray for our nation, we embrace each other as a united nation.”
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha also made a clarion to his colleagues.
“I want to urge all of us not to be tired. It’s very important we make the legislature count in our country. We are a very important arm of government. It’s our actions and attitude that will give us what we desire. Congratulations to all of us”, he said.
On her own part, former Senator Stella Oduah hailed Deputy Speaker, Kalu for his foresight in gathering the people.
“Deputy speaker, when we spoke, I was so happy but you had no idea as to why. But let me tell you why briefly. Imagine the intellectual strength, collectively, say from 1992 till date. Imagine the training, imagine what these people have done for their communities. Imagine the institutional storage and memory that they hold. Why they are not being put into use is what I could not just understand. But what you have done is to give us life. Just imagine the strength that this forum will have”, she said.
A communique raised at the end of the event showed a collective nudge to national development.
“Members agreed that it is in every former legislator’s enlightened interest to commit to the growth and institutionalisation of this national forum, in the spirit of national development. The Forum resolved to midwife a veritable resource centre and knowledge bank that will serve as a repository of legislative knowledge and a policy advisory hub to improve governance. It was agreed that the Forum will, henceforth, function as a permanent centre for strategic legislative support and development ideas, especially as it relates to sustainable national transformation. The Forum committed to developing a proper framework and timeline for nationwide engagement and participation of its members, ensuring inclusivity and broad-based consultation. As part of this national engagement, the Summit agreed to facilitate the convergence of other geopolitical zones for expanded participation and contributions to national discourse. The Forum acknowledged that the collective experience of former legislators must be harnessed as a national asset in pursuit of sustainable development. It was agreed that the NFLF will actively contribute to public discourse, policy direction, and institutional strengthening through advisory roles and issue-based engagement. The Forum resolved to undertake a post-legislative scrutiny of key laws and policies, especially constitutional amendments from 1999 to date, with a focus on devolution of powers to subnational governments”, the communique read by the national coordinator of the Forum, Hon. Uko Nkole stated.
The Forum also expressed deep appreciation to the Deputy Speaker for his foresight, sacrifice, and patriotic commitment in convening the historic summit, despite not being an immediate beneficiary of its outcomes.
Through the initiative, Kalu has not only preserved the legacy of the former lawmakers but has also ensured that their contributions continue to positively impact the nation’s democratic trajectory. The NFLF stands as a testament to his innovative leadership and commitment to deepening democracy in Nigeria.
• Nwabughiogu is the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu