ABUJA —The Cross River State representative on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Orok Otu Duke, has joined former presiding officers of state Houses of Assembly at the National Summit of the Forum of All Progressives Congress Former Presiding Officers of State Houses of Assembly of Nigeria, FOPSHAN, in Abuja.
The summit, held on Thursday at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, brought together former and serving presiding officers of state legislatures and other political stakeholders to deliberate on the administration of President Bola Tinubu and its economic reform agenda.
Duke, a former Deputy Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly and current NDDC board member representing Cross River State, participated in the summit as part of the gathering of former legislative presiding officers. The NDDC officially identifies him as the Cross River representative on its governing board.
The summit was held under the theme, “Bold Leadership, Bold Reforms: From Subsidy to Renewed Hope,” with discussions centred on the Federal Government’s economic reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidy and the broader Renewed Hope Agenda.
The forum subsequently endorsed President Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 general elections and resolved to take its message on the administration’s policies and programmes to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to reports from the summit, the former lawmakers also expressed support for the administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy, while resolving to embark on nationwide grassroots sensitisation.
Speaking at the event, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu said former Speakers and Deputy Speakers were well placed to understand the demands of governance and the difficult decisions associated with implementing reforms.
She urged members of the forum to deploy their experience and networks to contribute to national development, preserve institutional memory, mentor younger legislators and promote democratic stability.
Former Plateau State Governor and former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Senator Simon Lalong, also spoke in support of the administration’s reform programme, arguing that the measures required time to deliver their anticipated benefits.
The gathering also saw the forum adopt Senator Oluremi Tinubu as its Grand Patron, according to reports from the summit.
For Duke, the Abuja engagement adds to his involvement in national governance activities alongside his current role on the NDDC board. In July, he joined the NDDC Chairman, Chiedu Ebie, and other board members for an executive programme on strategic leadership and governance at the Royal Docks School of Business and Law, University of East London.
The NDDC board member’s participation in the FOPSHAN summit also places a Cross River representative among former legislative leaders participating in discussions on governance, economic reforms and the political direction of the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
