By NAOMI SHARANG

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), has reiterated its demand that the Southern region should produce the next president of Nigeria in 2027 general elections.

The forum made Its position known in a communiqué issued at the end of its regular general meeting held on Tuesday at the Abuja liaison office of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).

The communiqué was read by the Chairman of the Forum and leader of Afenifere, Oladipo Olaitan.

The meeting was attended by delegates from the four-member organisations of the forum; Afenifere, Middle Belt Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and PANDEF.

The forum said its position on the 2027 presidency was in the interest of national political stability, adding that the office should remain in the South for the next four years following the general elections.

It also expressed concern over what it described as lack of internal democracy in the ongoing primaries of political parties.

The forum said the essence of democracy was free choice by the people, stressing that a system where one individual or a few people chose candidates was antithetical to democracy and national development.

It called for Nigeria to remain a thriving multi-party constitutional democracy that also allowed for independent candidacy.

On insecurity, the group acknowledged the renewed efforts and successes of the Armed Forces, particularly in Oyo, Zamfara and Borno.

It, however, urged the Federal Government to sustain the momentum and intensify security operations in the Middle Belt, particularly in Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Kwara and Kogi states.

The forum also called for stronger collaboration with Nigeria’s neighbouring countries and the international community to tackle insecurity.

On the judiciary, the SMBLF urged the institution to remain truly independent and committed to its constitutional responsibility of interpreting the Constitution and laws in the interest of peace, stability and national development.

On elections, the forum insisted that the burden of proof for ensuring free, fair and credible elections should rest with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The SMBLF welcomed the proposed establishment of state police, noting that it had advocated the initiative for years.

It, however, Insisted that state police must reflect true federalism and not become what it described as a “Federal State Police.”

The group said state governors should have the same power to appoint or remove commissioners of police as the President has in relation to the Inspector-General of Police.

On restructuring, the forum reiterated its demand for a new Constitution that would reflect true federalism.

The forum said it would mobilise Nigerians to support and vote for a presidential candidate committed to giving the country a new Constitution.

Prominent leaders at the meeting included former Akwa Ibom Governor, Victor Attah, Okwesilieze Nwodo, Godknows Igali and Prof. Bitrus Pogu among others. (NAN)

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