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Leaders of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) have called on political parties to apportion their presidential tickets for the 2027 elections to Southern Nigeria, citing the need for justice, national stability and adherence to the established principle of rotation of power in Nigeria.
The position was adopted at the Forum’s general meeting held in Abuja, where representatives from major regional blocs—including Afenifere, Middle Belt Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, and Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF)—gathered to discuss pressing national issues ahead of the next general elections.
Delivering the communiqué, SMBLF Chairman and Afenifere leader, Oladipo Olaitan, stressed that the division of the presidency in the Southern region remains important to maintain political balance, and noted that the arrangement has been a cornerstone of Nigeria’s democratic practice since 1999.
The forum argued that, after the eight-year tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari from the North, the next president should emerge from the South. Therefore, they urge political parties to reflect this position as they prepare for future congresses and conventions.
Beyond electoral considerations, the Forum reiterated its call for constitutional reform to establish state and community policing structures in response to Nigeria’s growing security challenges.
According to the group, the move is in line with the growing national consensus, including previous advocacy conveyed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. SMBLF also announced the formation of a 12-member committee comprised of security experts to develop an actionable implementation framework.
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The forum raised concerns over the country’s security architecture, and warned that many areas in Nigeria remain under-policed and vulnerable due to limited human resource and intelligence capacity.
While expressing confidence in the armed forces, the group criticized the reintegration of deradicalized individuals, and called for a reassessment of the policy in the interests of national security. This statement also expresses solidarity with communities affected by violence, and urges citizens to use lawful means of self-protection.
On governance issues, the SMBLF reiterated its demands for restructuring, advocating a more decentralized federal system that grants greater autonomy to states and ethnicities in line with true federalism.
The forum also called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to ease economic hardship, recommending increased investment in local refining capacity and strategies to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.
The meeting, held at the PANDEF liaison office in Abuja, was attended by prominent figures including Bitrus Pogu, John Azuta-Mbata, and Godknows Igali, as well as members of the National Christian Elders Forum led by Samuel Danjuma Gani.
Reaffirming its commitment to national unity and democratic stability, the SMBLF pledged to continue to engage on key issues of governance, security and economic development in Nigeria.
