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Southern Middle Belt Leaders Warn Political Parties To Desist Zoning Presidency To The North

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The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) has warned that any political party that does not zone its 2023 presidency to the south should not expect support from the region.

This was 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 in the country.

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 8 years by 2023, “hence, the presidency should rotate to the South.”

The communique said the forum “advises that any political party that does not zone its presidential ticket to the South should not expect support from the four regions.

Notes that the basis of any viable democracy, especially in a diverse and complex country such as Nigeria, is fair and even sharing of power.”

The warning came after an extensive discussion of various issues on the state of affairs in the country, particularly, the security situation, Restructuring, preparations for the 2023 General Elections and Zoning.

The forum noted that the extant Constitution and structure of Nigeria are grossly flawed and lopsided, and therefore, restated its demand for the fundamental restructuring of the country by enacting a new Constitution that would enthrone equity, fairness and justice, noting: “It must be One Nation, One System.”

The SMBLF also condemned “the continued senseless killings of innocent citizens across the country by terrorists and criminals, especially in the North West Zone; calls on the government and security agencies to redouble efforts to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians.”

It cautioned the National Assembly to “only give consideration to Bills that would promote equity, justice, peace and national cohesion instead of issues that will exacerbate conflicts and crisis in the country.”

The forum urged state governors and members of the National Assembly of the four regions to commit themselves to the subject of Restructuring.

The forum reaffirmed commitment to the unity of Nigeria, “situated on the tenets of Equity, Fairness, Justice, and the principle of federalism.”

The communique said the meeting was held in an atmosphere of peace and unanimous commitment to the decisions.

According to the communique, in attendance at the meeting were delegations from the four regional socio-cultural organisations, that’s: Afenifere for the South West, Ohanaeze Ndigbo for the South East, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) for the South-South and the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) for the Middle Belt.

The delegations were led by Chief Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Afenifere, Professor George Obiozor, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Pogu Bitrus, President of the Middle Belt Forum and Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, National Chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).

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The meeting was also attended by former Governors, Ministers, federal and state legislators, top politicians and professionals from the Southern and Middle Belt regions, including His Excellency, Obong Victor Attah, former Governor of Akwa Ibom, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, Senator Femi Okurounmu, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, Simon N. Okeke, OFR, Chief Supo Shonibare, Dr Akin Fapohunda, Amb. Okey Emuchay, MFR, Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw, Prof. G. G. Darah, Solomon Asemota, SAN, Dr Alex Ogbonna, Mr Mac Emakpore, Chief Douyi Douglas-Naingba, Mrs Nella Andem-Rabana, SAN, Prof. Mrs Chinwe Obaji, Maj. Gen. Henry Ayoola (Rtd), Engr. Ben Akaakar, Dr Ebun Sonaiya, Comrade Jare Ajayi and Ken Robinson, among others.

The communique was signed by the leader of the forum, Chief Edwin Clark; Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Leader, Afenifere; Prof. George Obiozor, President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Dr Pogu Bitrus, National President, Middle Belt Forum.

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 8 years by 2023, “hence, the presidency should rotate to the South.”

The communique said the forum “advises that any political party that does not zone its presidential ticket to the South should not expect support from the four regions.

 

 

 

The SMBLF also condemned “the continued senseless killings of innocent citizens across the country by terrorists and criminals, especially in the North West Zone; calls on the government and security agencies to redouble efforts to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians.”

It cautioned the National Assembly to “only give consideration to Bills that would promote equity, justice, peace and national cohesion instead of issues that will exacerbate conflicts and crisis in the country.”

The forum urged state governors and members of the National Assembly of the four regions to commit themselves to the subject of Restructuring.

It reaffirmed commitment to the unity of Nigeria, “situated on the tenets of Equity, Fairness, Justice, and the principle of federalism.”

The communique said the meeting was held in an atmosphere of peace and unanimous commitment to the decisions.

According to the communique, in attendance at the meeting were delegations from the four regional socio-cultural organisations, that’s: Afenifere for the South West, Ohanaeze Ndigbo for the South East, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) for the South-South and the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) for the Middle Belt.

The delegations were led by Chief Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Afenifere, Professor George Obiozor, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Pogu Bitrus, President of the Middle Belt Forum and Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, National Chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).

The meeting was also attended by former Governors, Ministers, federal and state legislators, top politicians and professionals from the Southern and Middle Belt regions, including His Excellency, Obong Victor Attah, former Governor of Akwa Ibom, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, Senator Femi Okurounmu, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, Simon N. Okeke, OFR, Chief Supo Shonibare, Dr Akin Fapohunda, Amb. Okey Emuchay, MFR, Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw, Prof. G. G. Darah, Solomon Asemota, SAN, Dr Alex Ogbonna, Mr Mac Emakpore, Chief Douyi Douglas-Naingba, Mrs Nella Andem-Rabana, SAN, Prof. Mrs Chinwe Obaji, Maj. Gen. Henry Ayoola (Rtd), Engr. Ben Akaakar, Dr Ebun Sonaiya, Comrade Jare Ajayi and Ken Robinson, among others.

The communique was signed by the leader of the forum, Chief Edwin Clark; Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Leader, Afenifere; Prof. George Obiozor, President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Dr Pogu Bitrus, National President, Middle Belt Forum.

Shonekan: Nigeria’s Leader Overthrown Without Resistance

In spite of the huge investment in the water sector by the government and international organisations, water scarcity has grown to become a perennial nightmare for residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. This report x-rays the lives and experiences of residents in getting clean, potable and affordable water amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state…middle belt leaders insist  middle belt leaders insist

 

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ADC Criticises Tinubu’s CNG Plan, Demands Price Cap

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March 11, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urgently called on the Federal Government to implement a temporary cap on petrol prices, warning that the recent surge in fuel costs is exacerbating the hardship faced by millions of Nigerian households.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, acknowledged that volatility in global oil markets—spurred by the ongoing crisis in the Middle East—is contributing to the price hikes. However, the ADC argued that external factors do not justify allowing fuel prices to rise unchecked in an economy still reeling from the removal of the fuel subsidy.

“For everyday Nigerians, petrol determines the price of food, transportation, and survival. When petrol rises, everything else rises with it,” Abdullahi stated. “This is why the African Democratic Congress urges the Federal Government to take urgent action to stabilize petrol prices.”

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The party criticized the administration of President Bola Tinubu, stating that the current APC-led government must take responsibility for shielding citizens from the harshest effects of the increases. The ADC further called for the introduction of targeted palliatives specifically designed to support low-income Nigerians who are most vulnerable to the rising cost of transportation and goods.

Beyond the immediate call for a price cap, the ADC questioned the feasibility of the government’s long-term energy strategy, specifically targeting the recently announced plan to distribute 100,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion kits.

The party noted that with over 11 million vehicles registered in Nigeria, the proposed 100,000 kits would cover less than one percent of the nation’s vehicle fleet. Furthermore, the ADC raised concerns about the limited availability of CNG refuelling stations across the country, questioning whether the policy would have any tangible impact on the average Nigerian.

“A policy that touches only a fraction of vehicles cannot meaningfully address a national fuel crisis,” Abdullahi said. “If Nigerians cannot easily find where to refuel, then the policy risks becoming an announcement without real impact.”

The ADC urged the Federal Government to pursue a more comprehensive and credible energy strategy that reflects Nigeria’s status as an oil-producing nation.

“Nigeria is an oil-producing country, and it should not be a place where the cost of petrol repeatedly pushes millions of citizens deeper into hardship,” the statement concluded. “At a time of rising global uncertainty, protecting the welfare of citizens must remain the first duty of any government that knows what they are doing.”

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Defence Minister Tasks Service Chiefs to Visit Terror-Hit North-West and North-East

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March 11, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has directed the nation’s service chiefs to conduct on-the-ground visits to the North-West and North-East regions to reassess and revitalize ongoing military operations against terrorists.

The directive was issued on Wednesday during a high-level security meeting convened by the minister at the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence in Abuja. The meeting was called to address the pressing security challenges plaguing the two zones.

Confirming the development to TheCable, Timothy Antigha, the Special Adviser on Media to the Minister, stated that the service chiefs are expected to embark on the visits imminently. Upon their return, they are to submit comprehensive reports detailing their findings and proposing strategic adjustments to enhance the effectiveness of military operations in the troubled regions.

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The minister’s directive follows a concerning surge in attacks by terrorist groups, who have recently intensified assaults on military installations, leading to the deaths of several personnel.

In a significant escalation on Monday, fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) overran a military facility in the Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, during which a commanding officer was killed.

The following day, troops in the same locality successfully repelled another early-morning assault, also attributed to ISWAP fighters, highlighting the sustained pressure on forces in the region.

This recent spate of violence includes an attempted incursion by suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters on military positions in Ngoshe, Gwoza LGA, about a week prior. The Nigerian Air Force responded with air strikes in that engagement, reporting that over 50 of the suspected terrorists were neutralized.

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Court Grants PDP Permission for Out-of-Court Settlement in Convention Dispute

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March 11, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Court of Appeal in Ibadan, Oyo State, has granted all parties involved in the legal battle over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elective convention leave to pursue an out-of-court settlement.

Justice Biobele Georgewill, who led a three-man panel on Wednesday, urged the factions to prioritize a peaceful resolution in the best interest of the party. Consequently, the case has been adjourned sine die (indefinitely) to allow for the settlement process to proceed.

“This Court has granted leave for settlement in this matter,” Justice Georgewill stated. “All parties involved should be mindful of the election timetable as released by INEC. The counsel representing the various parties are in the best position to advise their clients.”

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He directed that the court be formally informed in writing of the outcome of the discussions, regardless of whether an agreement is reached. As a result, all pending motions in the case have been adjourned sine die.

The dispute stems from a leadership crisis within the party. Recall that on Monday, a separate Court of Appeal in Abuja had invalidated the party’s elective convention, which was held in Ibadan. That ruling upheld a disciplinary committee’s decision concerning certain party members.

However, the legal landscape was complex, as Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court had previously validated the same convention in a ruling on a case instituted by one Folahan Adelabi, through his counsel, Musibau Adetunmbi, SAN.

In his submission on Wednesday, Justice Georgewill cautioned all parties to be conscious of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) timetable for the 2027 general elections, implying the need for a swift resolution. All counsel present at the hearing aligned with the court’s position to pursue a peaceful settlement.

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