Breaking – Oyo to Host First Southwest Legislatures Summit As Region Pushes For Unified Electoral Reform Agenda

In a landmark move to strengthen legislative collaboration and deepen democratic reforms, Speakers of State Houses of Assembly across Nigeria’s Southwest region have resolved to adopt a unified approach to electoral reform and key national issues, while announcing Oyo State as the host of the first-ever Southwest Legislative Summit in early 2026.

This resolution formed a key highlight of the Southwest Conference of Speakers’ Legislative Meeting held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The forum brought together legislative leaders from the region to deliberate on regional cooperation, institutional reform, and the role of the legislature in driving socio-economic transformation.

Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria and Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, who delivered the keynote address, emphasized the urgency of legislative synergy in addressing issues such as electoral integrity, constitutional amendments, devolution of powers, youth political inclusion, and security.

“Our people demand results, not rivalries. The time has come for us to harmonize our legislative priorities, especially around issues that affect the structure and future of this country. Electoral reform is not just a political concern, it is a democratic necessity.”

He added that the proposed Southwest Legislative Summit, to be hosted in Ibadan, Oyo State in the first quarter of 2026, will serve as a strategic platform to deepen legislative peer learning, review policy gaps, and develop unified frameworks for addressing regional challenges such as insecurity, unemployment, food security, and environmental degradation.

According to Ogundoyin, “We are stronger when we legislate with a shared vision. The upcoming summit will be historic, not just for the Southwest, but for the evolution of subnational democracy in Nigeria.”

The Speakers also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his efforts toward national reconciliation and constitutional review.

They acknowledged the pivotal role of the National Assembly and state legislatures in shaping the future of Nigeria through laws that reflect fairness, justice, and inclusivity.

The meeting ended with a communiqué pledging legislative cooperation, policy harmonization across member states, and the institutionalization of the Southwest Speakers’ forum as a permanent legislative bloc for regional development.