Ahead of the 2027 general election, the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum has renewed its call for the presidency to remain in the South, insisting that the zoning arrangement is critical to national unity, political stability and constitutional restructuring.
The position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the forum’s regular general meeting in Abuja.
The meeting was attended by delegates of its four constituent organisations: Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the Middle Belt Forum and the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF.
Beyond the zoning debate, the forum criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, accusing it of allowing other government institutions and individuals to influence its constitutional responsibilities instead of safeguarding its independence. It warned that the growing erosion of internal democracy within political parties poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic future.
On constitutional reform, the regional leaders renewed their longstanding demand for restructuring and declared that they would mobilise support only for a presidential candidate committed to producing a new constitution anchored on the principles of true federalism.
They argued that the current constitutional arrangement has failed to adequately address Nigeria’s political, governance and developmental challenges.
The forum also urged Nigerians to remain committed to democratic values, insisting that credible institutions, constitutional reforms and respect for established power-sharing principles are essential to the country’s unity and long-term stability.
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Editor: Ada Ononye
