Leaders under the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) have called on political parties to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria, citing the need for equity, stability, and adherence to Nigeria’s power rotation tradition.

The position was reached at the Forum’s general meeting held in Abuja, where delegates from key regional groups, including Afenifere, Middle Belt Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, and Pan Niger Delta Forum, deliberated on national issues ahead of the next general elections.

Reading the communiqué, Chairman of the Forum and leader of Afenifere, Oladipo Olaitan, said zoning the presidency to the South remains critical to maintaining political balance, noting that such arrangements have been part of Nigeria’s democratic culture since 1999.

The Forum argued that the next president should emerge from the South, especially following the eight-year tenure of the late former President, Muhammadu Buhari, from Northern Nigeria.

The Forum urged political parties, particularly as they prepare for congresses and conventions, to ensure their presidential candidates are drawn from the South.

Beyond zoning, SMBLF called for urgent constitutional amendments to establish state and community policing as a response to worsening insecurity across the country.

The Forum said the proposal aligns with growing national consensus, including advocacy by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and announced the formation of a 12-member committee of security experts to develop frameworks for its implementation.

Expressing concern over the state of security, the group warned that large portions of Nigeria remain inadequately policed, stressing that current manpower and intelligence capabilities are insufficient to tackle the scale of threats.

While reaffirming confidence in the armed forces, the Forum criticised the reintegration of deradicalised individuals and called for a review of the policy in the interest of national security.

It also expressed solidarity with communities affected by violent attacks, urging citizens to take lawful measures to protect themselves.

On restructuring, SMBLF reiterated its long-standing demand for a more decentralised federation that grants greater autonomy to states and ethnic nationalities in line with true federalism.

The Forum further called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to address economic hardship, advocating increased support for local refining capacity and measures to reduce reliance on imported petroleum products.

The meeting, held at the Abuja liaison office of PANDEF, was attended by prominent leaders, including Bitrus Pogu, John Azuta-Mbata, and Godknows Igali, alongside members of the National Christian Elders Forum led by Samuel Danjuma Gani.

The Forum reaffirmed its commitment to national unity, democratic stability, and continued engagement on governance, security, and economic development issues in Nigeria. (Vanguard)

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