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The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has called on the leadership of political parties in Nigeria including All Progressives Congress, APC, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to zone the Presidency, in 2023 to the South.
The Forum also mandated political stakeholders from the South not to be lured into the unpatriotic step of seeking such other positions as National Chairmen and Vice President of the main political parties, but join forces to demand and ensure that the Presidency moves to the South in 2023.
A communique issued at the end of an expanded meeting of the forum in Abuja on Sunday, it notes that the Northern part of the Country would have fully enjoyed the Office of the Presidency, for the full statutory period of 8 years by 2023, hence, should yield to the South;
Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) is made up of leaders of various socio-cultural organizations including Afenifere, for the South West; Ohanaeze Ndigbo, for the South East; Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), for the South-South and the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), for the Middle Belt.
Addressing the media, the chairman of the forum and Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark said the forum also, “Calls on the Federal Government to declare a national emergency on security and urgently come up with proactive strategies to restore peace and security to all parts of the country;
“Emphasizes that, if the security situation is not dealt with and banditry stopped or reduced to the barest minimum, it would not be feasible to have proper elections in 2023;
“Condemns the cavalier attitude of the federal government towards the resolutions of the Governors of Southern States at their Meeting, held in Asaba, Delta State on 11th May 2021;as it pertains to ban on open grazing and restructuring.
“Insists that cattle rearing is a generally, private business enterprise, as such, the Federal Government should avoid committing state resources to promote any particular business, beyond providing the enabling environment, in the performance of its regulatory roles;
“Extends condolences to the families of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, and 10 other military personnel, who died in the unfortunate military plane crash on 21st May 2021, and calls on the military authorities to carry out a thorough investigation to ascertain the actual cause of the crash;
“Reaffirms its commitment to the unity of Nigeria, but must only be sustained on the principles of Equity, Fairness and Justice.”
Other leaders that attended the event include Chief Ayo Adebanjo – Leader, Afenifere, Amb. Prof George Obiozor – President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr. Pogu Bitrus – National President, Middle Belt Forum, and
Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, FNSE, National Chairman PANDEF.