The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum has declared that the presidency must remain in Southern Nigeria after the 2027 general election, warning that any move to abandon the country’s zoning arrangement could threaten national political stability.
The group also called for urgent amendments to contentious sections of the Electoral Act, immediate institutionalisation of state police, and renewed efforts to address worsening insecurity and economic hardship across the country.
The position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency meeting of the forum held on Saturday and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Sunday.
The communiqué was jointly signed by factional leader of Afenifere, Oba Oladipo Olaitan; President of the Middle Belt Forum, Bitrus Pogu; leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, John Azuta-Mbata; and Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Godknows Igali.
According to the forum, power rotation between the North and South has become an important part of Nigeria’s democratic culture since 1999 and should be sustained in the interest of fairness, equity and national unity.
“The position of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall remain in the southern region thereof in the next four years consequent on the 2027 general elections in the interest of national political stability,” the communiqué stated.
The forum urged political parties to zone their presidential tickets to Southern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.
The latest position comes amid growing political realignments and debates over whether power should remain in the South after the tenure of Bola Tinubu or return to the North.
On electoral reforms, the forum expressed concern over controversies surrounding sections of the Electoral Act, warning that unresolved issues could undermine the credibility of future elections and create political tension.
The group announced the inauguration of a committee to review what it described as contentious provisions of the Electoral Act and also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to remain truly independent in handling political party matters and elections.
It also called on the judiciary to remain impartial and uphold democratic principles in the interpretation of laws.
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On insecurity, the forum passed a vote of confidence in the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies but argued that they were overstretched due to inadequate manpower.
It therefore urged the Federal Government to recruit more personnel to strengthen security operations nationwide.
The group also criticised what it described as preferential treatment for repentant terrorists while victims of violent attacks continued to suffer in displacement camps.
The forum renewed its call for state and community policing, insisting that the proposed 60-month implementation timeline for state police was too long considering the country’s security challenges.
It cited the success of the Amotekun security outfit as evidence that state policing could be implemented within a shorter period.
On the economy, SMBLF reiterated demands for restructuring and true federalism, insisting that states and ethnic nationalities should enjoy greater autonomy in line with Nigeria’s federal structure.
The forum also urged the Federal Government to intensify support for local refineries and adopt measures to end the importation of refined petroleum products.
It further condemned xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa and called on the Federal Government to ensure the protection of Nigerians abroad, including arrangements for those willing to return home.