The Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has advised all political actors and citizens to ensure that Nigeria remains a thriving multi-party constitutional democracy in line with the nation’s inalienable history and political development.
The leaders of SMBLF made the observation at the end of an emergency meeting held in Abuja, saying: “That the position of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall remain in the southern region thereof in the next four years, consequent upon the 2027 general elections, in the interest of national political stability, particularly as such zoning arrangement, having been established even by political parties, has been the trend and is emerging as part of the national democratic culture since 1999.”
The communiqué was signed by Oba Oladipo Olaitan, Leader of Afenifere and Chairman of SMBLF; Dr. Bitrus Pogu, President of the Middle Belt Forum; Senator John Azuta-Mbata, Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide; and Amb. Godknows Igali (CON), Chairman of PANDEF. The group advised all political parties to zone and elect their presidential candidates from Southern Nigeria.
SMBLF also stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be, and be seen by Nigerians to be, truly independent in handling the affairs of political parties and the conduct of all elections.
The group expressed concern over the unabated controversy surrounding certain sections of the Electoral Act, which it said could significantly affect the integrity of elections and cause avoidable tension in the polity, and urged the National Assembly to review them.
SMBLF stated: “That in view of the importance of the Electoral Act to free and fair elections and credible democratic processes, a special committee of the SMBLF was inaugurated for a holistic review of the concerned sections of the Act.
“That the judiciary should remain truly independent and ever alert to its constitutional role of interpreting the Constitution and the laws in the interest of peace, stability and progress of the nation and its democracy.”
The forum advised the Nigerian press to remain vigilant as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, in line with its acknowledged historic role in the struggle for Nigerian independence and as a veritable defender of democracy.
SMBLF passed a vote of confidence in the capacity and patriotism of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies to protect lives and property, as well as the nation’s territorial integrity, but lamented inadequate personnel commensurate with the size and population of the country.
The group also observed with dismay the “red-carpet treatment and incentives given to purportedly repentant terrorists” by the Nigerian state and some sub-national governments under the guise of amnesty, while victims of their genocidal crimes remain involuntary guests in IDP camps, wallowing in squalor, with their homes still occupied by terrorists and no hope of return.
On state and community policing, SMBLF noted the efforts and steps taken by the Federal Government and the Inspector General of Police on the convocation of state and community policing, following the memorandum presented to the National Assembly by the Inspector General of Police.
On xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa, SMBLF expressed concern over what it described as misguided xenophobic aggression by some South Africans against Nigerians and other Africans on the spurious grounds that immigrants were taking their jobs, alongside sweeping allegations of criminal activities.
On restructuring and the economy, SMBLF insisted on the restructuring of the federation to give federating ethnic nationalities and constituent states the required autonomy in line with true federalism, upon which Nigeria was built by its founding fathers. The group also called on the Federal Government to redouble efforts to address the suffering of Nigerians amid the prevailing global economic situation.
