February 7, 2024
– By Reporter
The leaders of the Southern and Middle Belt Forum (SMBLF) have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take all necessary measures toward tackling the cankerworm of poverty and insecurity bedevilling the country.
The leaders made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting attended by Chief Edwin Clark (National Leader), Chief Ayo Adebanjo (Leader of Afenifere), Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide), Dr. Pogu Bitrus (National President Middle Belt Forum, and Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien (National Chairman of PANDEF).
On the economy and the falling standard of living, the SMBLF said the rising poverty was putting the federation at great risk.
The communiqué reads: “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.
“In another respect, the Nigerian naira has fallen uncontrollably to levels that were never imagined and the situation is getting worse daily.”
“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 the same hideouts or anticipate their activities.”
The group reminded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that the primary duty of government is to protect the life and property of the citizens, adding that the buck stops at his table as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
The SMBFL expressed appreciation for the sacrifices of members of the security services, but urged them to redouble their efforts and restore peace to the country.
The statement added: “The worsening state of insecurity again reinforces the call for a rejigging of the security architecture; in particular the urgent need for more Federal Government interest and encouragement towards ongoing state and community policing efforts around the country.
“We vehemently condemn the setting up of an ethnic militia by the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore a fortnight ago in Lafia, Nasarawa State. We hereby advise that the Federal Government should not condone actions that would force other ethnicities into setting up their ethnic armies, as that will lead to national disintegration. We welcome the agreement for state police in all states of the federation.”
The SMBLF also reiterated its call for restructuring, saying the nation is currently fractured, divided and retrogressing “because of the faulty federal system being practised”.
The forum urged President Tinubu to muster the courage to lead the country into the proper practice of federalism as obtained all over the world.
It added that Mr. President had carved out a name for his efforts in fighting for true federalism in the country.
SMBLF urged 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 ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
The forum condemned the continued incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu, saying the government action has implications for peace and security in the Southeast.
It advised the government to ensure that the rule of law is allowed to prevail on the matter by obeying all court rulings.
On the situation in Rivers State, the SMBLF expressed its concern that it had been allowed to fester for so long.
It added: “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-judgments that peace is far from the state.
“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.”
