Southern , Middle Belt Leaders Call for Urgent Reforms

Nigerian elders and leaders from the southern and Middle Belt regions have gathered to discuss the problems and difficulties the country is now experiencing.

In order to improve the state of the nation, a number of issues and requests were discussed during a critical conference that was hosted in Abuja by the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), which is a coalition of regional groupings.

Leaders and delegates from Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Afenifere, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), and the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) participated at the forum, which is chaired by Chief E. K. Clark. These distinguished figures gave President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government several important calls, including:

1. Protecting the Naira: The leaders expressed serious concern about the rapid depreciation of the Nigerian currency, the Naira, and called for immediate measures to stabilize it.

2. Restructuring for Fiscal Federalism: They stressed the urgency of restructuring Nigeria to establish genuine fiscal federalism, in accordance with the principles originally enshrined in the 1960 and 1963 constitutions.

3. Equitable Representation: The leaders demanded equitable representation for all regions concerning the number of states, local governments, and appointments into the Federal Executive Council. They emphasized the need for fair representation of the South-East.

4. Release of Nnamdi Kanu: Following a court order, the leaders urged the Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as a means to promote peace and security in the South-East.

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5. National Patrimony: The leaders condemned any attempts to limit access to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, asserting that it belongs to all Nigerians.

6. Review of Reports: President Tinubu was urged to review two pivotal reports—the 2014 National Conference Report and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Report on True Federalism—both of which were crafted by leaders and stakeholders.

The leaders responded to these worries by forming a Strategic Committee on Restructuring and stating that they were prepared to work with the National Assembly, the Federal Government, and other pertinent parties to resolve these urgent issues.

The meeting made clear that swift action was required to stop the fall in living standards, advance equity and justice, and fortify Nigeria’s unity. The leaders also acknowledged the constitutional process for peacefully resolving electoral issues and declared their determination to offer more analysis of the recent Supreme Court ruling about the 2023 presidential election.