NewsNigeriaPoliticsSMBLF applauds Buhari’s commitment  to non-interference in electoral process

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■ Expresses concern over rising insecurity

■ Urges Nigerians to embrace Peter Obi’s candidacy

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for reiterating his commitment to non-interference in the electoral process, and to guarantee free, fair, and credible elections in 2023.

The group which released its communique to journalists on Friday reaffirms commitment to the unity of Nigeria, stressing that it must only be sustained on the principles of equity, fairness and justice; even as it urges Nigerians to embrace the candidacy of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections.

SMBLF,  however expresses concern over the debilitating state of insecurity across the country and calls on the federal government and security agencies to redouble efforts to address the situation especially now that the 2023 general elections are around the corner;

The Forum commends the efforts of the president and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the redesign of the naira notes to mitigate illicit financial transactions.

It however, noted that the current hardship Nigerians are facing due to the non-availability of the new notes is intolerable, and calls on the CBN and commercial banks to take urgent steps to improve the management of the process, to alleviate the sufferings of citizens, even as it warns that the current situation portends danger to national peace and security.

Commenting on the 2023 general elections, the group reviewed the previous resolutions of the forum as well as pronouncements by its leaders and other eminent Nigerians on the 2023 Presidential election, and  reminds all Nigerians 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 Forum maintains that the northern part of the country, as represented by President Muhammadu Buhari, would have fully enjoyed the office of the president of the country for the full statutory period of eight years by May 29, 2023, hence, should yield the presidency to South;

The group observes that the presidential

candidate of the Labour Party (LP), His Excellency, Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra state, stands out amongst the presidential candidates in terms of credibility, integrity, competence, and national outlook.

The communique reads, “We believe that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) represents the Nigerian conscience, moral probity, generational hope, and redemption epiphany, among others.

“Nigeria is at an unprecedented threshold, ensnared by a myriad of problems and that Peter Obi, and his running mate, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, IS THE ANSWER!

“Therefore, without equivocation, we call on all Nigerians, who believe in the unity, peace, stability, and sustainable development of the country to embrace the candidacy of  Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election, because therein lies the unity and progress of Nigeria.

It added, “We urge Nigerians to go out en masse, in all the 176846 polling units across the country, on election day, 25th Feb 2023, to exercise their franchise and give to the Nation a President who will bring about the “change” we truly desire and deserve.

“We caution political stakeholders, particularly the candidates and their supporters, at all levels, to shun all acts of violence, before, during, and after the elections. Let us give peace a chance; Nigeria is our country, and we do not have any other.

“We warn that any attempt to scuttle the 2023 general elections and impose an “interim government” will be vehemently resisted,” the communique reads.

The group paid glowing tributes to  leaders of the members who passed on recently; Professor Amb. George Obiozor, President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide; His Excellency, Air Commodore Dan Suleiman (Rtd.), former military Governor of Plateau State and Leader of the Middle Belt Former, as well as Senator Inatimi Rufus-Spiff, who was until his demise the Chairman of PANDEF, Bayelsa State Chapter.

The Meeting deliberated extensively on the State of the Nation and the 2023 General Elections as well as other worrisome issues, particularly, the current hardship Nigerians are facing due to the unavailability of the new currency notes, the fuel situation, the problems with PVC collection.

The communique was signed by  Chief (Dr.) Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON – Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo – Leader, Afenifere, Dr. Pogu Bitrus – National President, Middle Belt Forum, Dame Betty Igbeyi, mni – National Woman Leader, PANDEF, Her Excellency, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele and Amb. Okey Emuchay, MFR – Secretary-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide

By Uzoamaka Ikezue (Staff Reporter)

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