The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has opposed what it described as the ?unsolicited foreign military intervention in Nigeria? and the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by the US President, Donald Trump, over religious persecution against Christians in Nigeria.

The organisation however said it considered the designation as a wake-up call on the Federal Government to pursue with a sense of urgency and responsibility halting the mayhem and killings and face the issues on ground in disarming and prosecuting the known militias and killer herdsmen and Islamists terrorists responsible for bloodshed.

The SMBLF made its position known in a communique issued at the end of its National Caucus Meeting on matters of urgent national importance signed by HRM Oba Oladipo Olaitan (Leader of Afenifere);

Dr. Bitrus Pogu (President, Middle Belt Forum); Senator John Azuta-Mbata (President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide); and Ambassador Godknows Igali (National Chairman, PANDEF), obtained by Arise News in Abuja on Tuesday.

The organisation also reiterated its call that President Bola Tinubu should, as the father of the nation, adopt a nationalist approach by which the Attorney-General of the Federation is empowered to set necessary constitutional machinery to effect the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The communique reads, ?The SMBLF notes with very serious concern the designation by the US President Donald Trump of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious persecution against Christians.

?The SMBLF affirms its opposition to any unsolicited foreign military intervention in Nigeria over any matter. However, we consider the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern a wake-up call to the Federal Government to pursue with a sense of urgency and responsibility halting the ongoing mayhem and killings. Furthermore, face the issues on ground in disarming and prosecuting the known militias and killer herdsmen and Islamists terrorists responsible for this, and restore occupied lands to their rightful owners of all faiths and ethnic nationalities especially in Benue, Plateau, Southern Kaduna, Taraba, Gombe, Southern Bornu, Southern Kebbi and all over the rest of the country.

?Furthermore, the SMBLF acknowledges the recent reshuffling of the Service Chiefs and welcomes the appointment of new ones. However, we urge the President to extend this reform to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Minister of Defence, and the Minister of State for Defence all of whom are presently from one section of the country. This will not only ensure a comprehensive overhaul of the national defence architecture but also reflect the diversity of the country.?

On Nnamdi Kanu

?The SMBLF restates its commitment to the unity and continued coexistence of the Nigerian Federation wherein every citizen and constituent ethnic nationality will be equally respected and have genuine sense of belonging and thus disapproves of every agitation for its dismemberment.

?SMBLF recalls that the agitations of Nnamdi Kanu and his group was initially peaceful but essentially radicalised by ill-advised and excessive military responses codenamed operations ?crocodile smiles? and ?python dance? by the erstwhile Buhari administration leading to Kanu fleeing Nigeria, his arrest in Kenya, return to Nigeria in 2021 and unending prosecution since then.

?SMBLF notes that the agitation for the release of Nnamdi Kanu remains unabated and without prejudice to his ongoing trial in court, reiterates our call that the President, as the father of the nation, adopts, a nationalist approach by which the Attorney-General of the federation is empowered to set necessary constitutional machinery to effect Nnamdi Kanu?s release.

?SMBLF reiterates that the release of Nnamdi Kanu will be a salutary directive in the interest of the most needed national rehabilitation and peace.?

2027 Presidential Election

?The SMBLF recalled its decision in 2021 that the President of Nigeria in the 2023 election should be from the Southern part of the country in demonstration of our commitment to restructuring and national stability and now further resolves that the decision should remain applicable to the 2027 Presidential Election for the same reasons.

?SMBLF notes the decisions of some of the political parties in line with this now established national political culture and enjoins all political parties and actors to respect same.? (AriseNews TV)

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