Southern presidency, state police: SMBLF tables demands for southern 2027

Leaders of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) have called on political parties to zone their 2027 presidential tickets to Southern Nigeria, citing the need for fairness, national stability, and adherence to Nigeria’s established power rotation principle.

The position was adopted at the Forum’s general meeting held in Abuja, where representatives of key regional blocs—including Afenifere, Middle Belt Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, and Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF)—gathered to deliberate on pressing national issues ahead of the next general elections.

Presenting the communiqué, SMBLF Chairman and Afenifere leader, Oladipo Olaitan, stressed that zoning the presidency to the South remains essential for maintaining political equilibrium, noting that the arrangement has been a cornerstone of Nigeria’s democratic practice since 1999.

The Forum argued that, following the eight-year tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari from the North, the next president should emerge from the South. It therefore urged political parties to reflect this position as they prepare for upcoming congresses and conventions.

Beyond electoral considerations, the Forum renewed its call for constitutional reforms to establish state and community policing structures as a response to Nigeria’s deepening security challenges.

According to the group, the move aligns with growing national consensus, including previous advocacy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. SMBLF also announced the creation of a 12-member committee made up of security experts to develop actionable frameworks for implementation.

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The Forum raised concerns over the country’s security architecture, warning that many parts of Nigeria remain under-policed and vulnerable due to limited manpower and intelligence capacity.

While expressing confidence in the armed forces, the group criticised the reintegration of deradicalised individuals, calling for a reassessment of the policy in the interest of national security. It also expressed solidarity with communities affected by violence, urging citizens to adopt lawful means of self-protection.

On the issue of governance, SMBLF reiterated its long-standing demand for restructuring, advocating a more decentralised federal system that grants greater autonomy to states and ethnic nationalities in line with true federalism.

The Forum also called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to ease economic hardship, recommending increased investment in local refining capacity and strategies to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.

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

Reaffirming its commitment to national unity and democratic stability, SMBLF pledged continued engagement on key issues of governance, security, and economic development in Nigeria.

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