By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
For the umpteenth time, Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) has demanded the restructuring of Nigeria, urging governors and members of the National Assembly from the two regions to commit themselves to the cause.
The forum also warned that any political party that does not zone its 2023 presidency to the south should not expect support from the southern region.
These were contained in a communique issued at the end of its meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
According to the forum, its position is based on the need to engender a fair and even sharing of power among the country’s geopolitical zones.
It pointed out that the northern part of the country would have fully enjoyed the Office of the Presidency of the country for the full statutory period of eight years by 2023.
The forum argued that the 1999 Constitution and structure of Nigeria are grossly flawed and lopsided.
It, therefore, restated its demand for the “fundamental restructuring of the country by enacting a new Constitution that would enthrone equity, fairness and justice. It must be One Nation, One System.”
It also cautioned the National Assembly to give consideration to only “Bills that would promote equity, justice, peace and national cohesion instead of issues that will exacerbate conflicts and crisis in the country.”
The forum further condemned “the continued senseless killings of innocent citizens across the country by terrorists and criminals, especially in the North West Zone.”
It called on the government and security agencies to redouble their efforts to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians.
The forum’s meeting, which held in Abuja, under the Chairmanship of the leader and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, has in attendance, delegations from the four regional socio-cultural organisations comprising Afenifere (South West), Ohanaeze Ndigbo (South East), Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) South-South, and the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) for the Middle Belt.
The meeting, according to the communique signed by Chief Clark, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Prof. George Obiozor, and Dr. Pogu Bitrus, was held in an atmosphere of peace and commitment to the decisions.
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