The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has endorsed Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Datti Baba‑Ahmed, describing them as the best among the contenders. The endorsement was announced after a marathon meeting in Abuja attended by leaders of the Middle Belt Forum, Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Pan‑Niger Delta Forum, and a cross‑section of dignitaries and opinion leaders from across the country.
Among those present were Afenifere leader Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Middle Belt Forum leader Dr Pogu Bitrus, former Anambra State governor Dr Chukwumeka Ezeife, former Lagos State deputy governor Bucknor Akerele, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and PANDEF leader Chief Edwin Clark, among others. At the close of the meeting, SMBLF Coordinator Chief John Nwodo read a communique stating that the organization had decided to endorse the Obi/Datti ticket and the Labour Party because they symbolize a mission to rescue Nigeria from imminent collapse.
According to the SMBLF, Obi epitomises the kind of leader Nigeria needs today, given his track record. The forum emphasized that, beyond the need to entrench justice, equity, and fairness in national leadership, Obi possesses the best leadership qualities among all presidential front‑runners. The SMBLF urged all leaders of its affiliate groups to return to their regions and mobilise support for Obi and the Labour Party.
Addressing rumors that undemocratic elements were plotting to postpone or derail the upcoming presidential election, the SMBLF warned it would not tolerate such moves and would unite against them. In his presentation, Adebanjo urged delegates to take the endorsement seriously, noting that the 2023 elections might be the last chance well‑meaning Nigerians have to salvage the country. At 95, he said he was already old enough to leave the matter to younger people but chose to remain in the struggle for posterity’s sake. He likened the current effort to install good leadership to the National Democratic Coalition’s fight against military rule in the 1990s, insisting that all hands must be on deck to ensure the success of the “Obi project.”
“Don’t be deceived—this is not just an election, it is a war, and our opponents are not sleeping at all,” Adebanjo warned. “You’re fighting a battle to free yourself and your children’s children from slavery. The oppressors don’t want to leave power.”
Ezeife highlighted alleged plans by anti‑democratic forces to cause mayhem and scuttle the forthcoming elections. He cautioned that these threats should not be dismissed as mere rumors, noting that those behind them are desperate and may go to any length to achieve their goals.
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