Southern, Middle Belt leaders seek end to rising poverty, insecurity
A meeting of the Leaders of Southern and Middle Belt Forum (SMBLF) held in Abuja on Monday, 5th February, 2024.
The meeting was chaired by the National Leaders of the forum, Chief Dr. EK. Clark, OFR, CON. It had in attendance Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Leader, Afenifere, Chief Engr (Dr) Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, MFR, OFR, CFR, President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr. Pogu Bitrus, National President, Middle Belt Forum (MBF), and Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, FNSE, National Chairman, PANDEF.
The meeting also had in attendance several elder statesmen including former Governors, former Members of the National Assembly, former Ministers and other Leaders from the respective zones.
- The discussions at the meeting focused on the State of the Nigerian Nation, the National Economy and other related matters. After exhaustive deliberation, the following decisions were arrived at:
a. Restructuring:
i. The SMBFL expresses its concern that the Nigerian nation continues to remain fractured, divided and retrogressing because of the faulty federal system being practised.
ii. The forum therefore calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who in the past had carved out a name for his efforts in fighting for true federalism in the country, to have the courage to lead the country into proper practice of federalism as obtains all over the world.
iii. Furthermore, the meeting calls on President Tinubu to set in motion the machinery towards eventual constitutional amendment by implementing the 2014 National Conference Report and the El Rufai Committee Report on True Federalism of 2018 set up by the APC government.
b. The Rising State of Insecurity:
i. The meeting notes with great concern that the entire Nigerian nation and its people have found themselves under what appears like a siege on their daily existence.
ii. In all parts of the country, terrorists, bandits, kidnapers, armed robbers and other violent groups have taken over our cities, villages and highways. Most recently, Plateau, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Benue States including the FCT have become some of the most dangerous places to live in.
iii. It is inconceivable that criminal groups can come in and out of our communities, yet those who are responsible for safeguarding the society cannot get into same hideouts or anticipate their activities.
iv. The SMBLF reminds President Tinubu that the primary duty of government is to protect the life and property of its citizens and the buck stops on the table of Mr. President.
v. While appreciating the sacrifices of some members of the security services, the Forum calls on all those concerned to redouble efforts and restore peace back to the entire country.
vi. The worsening state of insecurity again reinforces the call for rejigging of the whole security architecture of the country; in particular the urgent need for more federal government interest and encouragement towards ongoing state and community policing efforts around the country.
vii. We vehemently condemn the setting up of an ethnic militia by the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore a forth night ago in Lafia, Nasarawa State. We hereby advise that Federal Government should not condone actions that would force other ethnicities into setting up their own ethnic armies as that will lead to national disintegration.
We welcome the universal agreement for state police in all States of the Federation.
c. The Economy and Worsening Standard of Living:
i. The SMBLF cautions, that the rising poverty in the country puts the very existence of the federation at great risk.
ii. From its recent ranking as the “poverty capital of the world”, it is disheartening to note, that in the past few months, things have worsened as most Nigerians are virtually living on hand-outs.
iii. In another respect, the Nigerian Naira has fallen uncontrollably to levels that were never imagined and the situation is getting worse daily.
vi. The meeting therefore calls on Mr. President and his team to come up with practical solutions to address these problems and bring tangible results to Nigerians.
The Nnamdi Kanu matter
i. The SMBLF condemns the continued incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu and its implication on peace and security in the South East.
ii. The SMBFL therefore calls on President Tinubu to ensure that rule of law is allowed to prevail on this matter and all court rulings on this matter are obeyed.
iii. The release of Nnamdi Kanu is in the interest of the entire country as the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has promised that they will work with him to restore peace in the region.
The Situation in Rivers State
i. The SMBLF expresses its concern that the political situation in Rivers State has been allowed to fester for so long.
ii. While appreciating President Tinubu for his quick intervention in trying to broker peace, it is clear to all, especially with the court judgments and counter judgements that peace is far from the State.
iii. The meeting therefore urges President Tinubu to re-examine the decisions which were taken to ensure they are in compliance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and are capable of bringing lasting peace to the state.
The New Developments around West Africa
i. The SMBLF discussed the developments in Nigeria’s neighbouring countries, Niger Republic, Burkina Faso and Mali and calls on President Tinubu to take all peaceful steps to restore unity within West Africa and ensure that the welfare of Nigerians in those countries is properly secured.
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum want to assure Mr. President and all Nigerians its commitment to the unity and peace of the country built on the pedestal of equity, fairness and justice.
Done in Abuja, 5th February, 2024
Signed
Chief (Dr.) Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON Leader
Chief Ayo Adebanjo
Afenifere
Chief Engr (Dr) Emmanuel Iwuanwanwu, MFR, OFR, CFR
President-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide
Dr. Pogu Bitrus
President-General, Middle Belt Forum
Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien
National Chairman, PANDEF
