Address Insecurity, Political Tensions Southern, Middle Belt Forum Urges FG

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, SMBLF, has called on the Federal Government to urgently address rising political tensions, worsening insecurity, and ongoing national strikes, warning that recent developments threaten the stability of the country.

This is contained in a communiqué jointly signed by Oba Olaitan for Afenifere, Dr. Pogu Bitrus for the Middle Belt Forum and Ambassador Godknows Igali for PANDEF at the end of a meeting in Abuja.

On the political climate, the forum appeals to the federal government and the ruling party to halt what it described as emerging tendencies that could weaken multi-party democracy and tilt the country towards a one-party dominance.

According to the communique, the leaders also condemned the increasing use of security agencies for partisan political activities and faulted what they called the slow response of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, under its new leadership, to the rising political disputes ahead of the 2027 general election.

It stresses that on insecurity, SMBLF expresses deep concern over recent killings and abductions in Borno, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kwara and Kogi States, including the murder of Brigadier General Uba and the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi.

The communique urges the federal government to take decisive action to end violent attacks and rescue the abducted students, noting that indigenous communities remain the most affected.

It also appeals for sincere collaboration with global partners—particularly the United States—while calling for a clear resettlement and rehabilitation plan for displaced families in the Middle Belt.

On the ongoing industrial actions, the Forum urges the Federal Government to intensify negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to prevent a nationwide strike, and to conclude discussions with resident doctors whose strike is already affecting ordinary Nigerians who cannot afford private healthcare.

By Georgina Humphrey