..Calls for release of Nnamdi Kanu
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has resolved to set up a strategic committee on restructuring, and urged the Federal Government to enthrone true federalism as was originally entrenched in the 1960 and 1963 constitutions;
The leaders and elders of the South-East, South-West, South-South, and Middle Belt regions represented by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Afenifere, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), and the Middle Belt Forum, respectively, held a crucial meeting in Abuja on Thursday, 26th October 2023, and at the end issued a communique which was made available to journalists on Friday.
The document was signed by Chief (Dr.) E.K. Clark – Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo – Leader, Afenifere, Chief Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, – President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, General Zamani Lekwot rtd. – Chairman, Middle Belt Elders Council, and Former Military Governor, Rivers State, Dr. Pogu Bitrus – President, Middle Belt Forum and Senator Emmanuel Ibok-Essien, National Chairman, PANDEF.
The group expressed concern over the trend where certain sections of the country are continually marginalised in the number of states, local governments, and even appointments into the Federal Executive Council.
The communique read, “We request that the South-East be appropriately represented on the Federal Executive Council, similar to other Geo-Political Zones.
“We insist that Nigeria must always remain a country where all citizens and sections enjoy a full sense of belonging and equality.
“We commend the political class, especially the leading presidential candidates in the 2023 presidential election for their recourse to constitutional means in redressing their grievances.
SMBLF noted that the Supreme Court judgment on the 2023 presidential election delivered on Thursday, 26th October 2023, which effectively brings to an end the legal processes on the conduct and outcome of the presidential election.
The SMBLF urged the government to make efforts to assuage the daily depreciating living standard of Nigerians, even as it called on the Federal Government to urgently salvage the Naira, which continues to depreciate daily.
It called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to release Nnamdi Kanu since a court of competent jurisdiction has ordered so.
“We believe that doing so will promote peace and security in the South East,” SMBLF added.
“The Federal Capital Territory remains the national patrimony of all Nigerians; thus, condemns the present efforts by some to arrogate exclusiveness. This must be rejected and the promoters of such views should be called to order.
“Insists that President Tinubu takes an urgent look at the 2014 National Conference Report, concluded by 494 of the Country’s leaders, as well as the All Progressives Congress (APC) report on true federalism.
It resolved to set up a Strategic Committee on Restructuring and expressed readiness to interface with the Federal Government, the National Assembly, and all other stakeholders, on the enunciated issues.
The meeting was chaired by the Leader, Chief Dr. E. K. Clark, OFR, CON, and had in attendance several national leaders including Chief Ayo Adebanjo – Leader, Afenifere, Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, MFR, OFR, CFR, President-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr. Pogu Bitrus – President, Middle Belt Forum, Chief Sen. Cornelius Adebayo – former Governor of Kwara State, Obong Victor Attah, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, and Senator Emmanuel Ibok-Essien – National Chairman, PANDEF. Others are General Zamani Lekwot rtd., former Military Governor of Rivers State, General Lawrence Onoja rtd., Ph.D., mni – former Military Governor of Katsina State, Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Ishaya Bamaiyi, CFR, former Chief of Army Staff, Chief Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, CON – former Governor of Anambra State, Chief S.N. Okeke – former Chairman, Police Service Commission, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, CON – former Chairman of NDDC, Chief (Barr.) Sola Ebiseni – National Secretary, Afenifere, Amb. (Dr.) Godknows Igali, Amb. Okey Emuchay MFR – Secretary General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange, Senator Musa Adede, Prof. G. G. Darah, Solomon Asemota SAN, D.I.G. Potter L. Dabup (rtd.), Engr. Marcus Gundiri, Akin Oshuntokun, Dr. Akin Fapohunda, Prof Charles Nwakeaku, Dele Farotimi, Prof. Echefuna Onyebeadi, Jonathan Tsaku, Mr. Mac Emakpore, Hon. Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, Prince Maikpobi Okareme, Hon. Bassey Ekefre, Jonathan Asake, Mrs. Elizabeth Jibrin, Chief Hon. Olivia Agbajoh Esq, Dr. Ken Robinson, among others.
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