Nigeria’s major regional blocs have opened a fresh front for national dialogue, as leaders of Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the Middle Belt Forum and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) converged in Abuja to deliberate on the country’s worsening political and socio-economic challenges and the road to 2027.

The high-powered meeting, held at the Abuja liaison office of PANDEF, brought together influential voices from the South-West, South-East, Middle Belt and South-South, in what observers described as a significant attempt to build a common platform on issues threatening Nigeria’s unity, democracy and development.

The communiqué Issued after the meeting was read by the Chairman of the forum and leader of Afenifere, Oladipo Olaitan.

Among the prominent figures at the gathering were former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Obong Victor Attah; Ezekweseilie Nwodo; former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Goodknows Igali; Middle Belt Forum leader, Bitrus Pogu; and other leading representatives of the various regional blocs.

The meeting came against the backdrop of mounting political tension, insecurity, economic hardship and growing public anxiety over the direction of the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Regional blocs close ranks

The convergence of the four major regional organisations is significant, given their longstanding influence in shaping political conversations and articulating the interests of Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and regional constituencies.

The leaders used the meeting to examine the state of the nation and the urgent need for Nigerians to confront the challenges threatening national cohesion, democratic accountability and equitable development.

Their coming together also signals a renewed attempt by regional stakeholders to move beyond isolated ethnic and geographical advocacy and build broader consensus around issues of national consequence.

Olaitan, who read the communiqué, said the groups were determined to sustain consultations and promote a national conversation capable of producing solutions to the country’s deepening challenges.

2027 looms large

With political activities already gathering momentum ahead of the 2027 elections, the meeting has added another layer to the emerging realignment of political interests across the country.

The regional leaders are expected to intensify consultations as the political environment becomes increasingly charged, particularly over questions of leadership, inclusion, security, economic hardship and the future of Nigeria’s democracy.

The meeting also underscored the growing concern among regional leaders that the country cannot continue along the present trajectory without fundamental changes in the way it is governed.

The leaders maintained that Nigeria’s challenges require collective action, deeper consultation and a political system that gives all sections of the country a meaningful stake in governance.

For the regional blocs, the Abuja meeting could therefore mark the beginning of a wider political conversation ahead of 2027, with the possibility of a stronger common position on the choices Nigerians will face at the polls. (The Guardian)

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