Leaders of socio- cultural groups from four six geo-political zones of the country under the aegis of Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) have decried increasing cases of killings and a rise in the cost of living in the country after the general election.
SMBLF comprises the Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and the Middle Belt Forum (MBF).
In a communiqué issued after its meeting in Abuja, the group warned that the non readiness of the nation’s security agencies to bring to book and prosecute the masterminds of bloodshed exposes the country to a seeming state of war.
It noted that security agencies and state governors were not showing commitment to addressing the challenge adding that non-state actors are allowed to openly move around with dangerous weapons.
Similarly, they condemned the indebtedness of the country and asked the federal government to rescind the recent request for $800 million World Bank loan.
On the election petitions, the group said the judiciary should be cautious as Nigerians were monitoring the election petition proceedings, adding that “the outcome of the processes will be a reflection of the provisions of the Constitution of the country, which must be sacrosanct.”
The communiqué reads in part: “SMBLF strongly urges the nation’s judiciary to be aware that all Nigerians are watching with very keen interest the ongoing judicial processes at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal as well as various election tribunals across the country.
“With regards to the 2023 general elections, SMBLF commends Nigerian youths for their courage and astuteness in expressing their interest in the future of this country and calls on them not to become discouraged by some of the seeming outcomes.
“Further cautions the judicial arm, at all levels, to be mindful of the fact that the present process is a true test of our effort at building a country based on the rule of law and respect for our constitution.
“It is the expectation of Nigerians that the outcome of the processes will be a reflection of the provisions of the Constitution of the country, which must be sacrosanct, and the rights of all affected parties upheld based on the provisions of the laws of Nigeria.
“Accordingly, calls on the youths of Nigeria to remain undeterred and emboldened to carry their foresight of building a new Nigeria to fruition, and to note that the struggle for the needed change has just begun.
“SMBLF restates its time-tested position that the future of Nigeria can only be sustained on the basis of true federalism and respect for the autonomy of the federating units.
“SMBLF expresses shock at the escalation of killings, pogroms, total destruction of entire communities and means of livelihood in several targeted areas in select states since after the 2023 general elections, mainly in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Southern Kaduna, Kebbi and various states of the South East, where hundreds of armless citizens are being slaughtered daily.
“We note with grave concern that the nation’s security agencies have continued to show unwillingness to decisively deal with the perpetrators of these monstrous acts, or rather, deliberately turned a blind eye to the atrocious occurrences, thereby exposing the country to a seeming state of war. It is shameful that non-state actors are allowed to openly tote dangerous weapons about and rampage the country unhindered.
“SMBLF condemns, in unmistakable terms, the cavalier and totally nonchalant attitudes of the outgoing governors of some states over the collapse of security in certain parts of their states, which has continued to exacerbate the worrisome situation and hopes their successors will show greater commitment to the welfare of their citizens who are the victims of this sad situation.
“SMBLF further warns that the continuous abdication of government’s primary and abiding constitutional responsibility of safeguarding the lives and properties of its citizens is an irresistible signal to Nigerians to exercise their inalienable rights of self-defence, by all means.
“SMBLF again deplores the inhuman plight of thousands of indigenous people in the middle belt states driven out of their homes and have now become internally displaced persons (IDPs) for years as well as several other internally displaced persons in different parts of the country, left to live in conditions that impinge on their human rights as citizens of this country.
“SMBLF hence, calls on the Federal Government to, without any further delay, facilitate the return and reintegration of these Nigerians to their Communities.
“SMBLF commends the various parties for subjecting themselves to the expected judicial processes in line with the Constitution and the Electoral Laws of the country.
“SMBLF notes with serious concern, the continued snowballing level of indebtedness being incurred by the Federal Government, particularly the recent request for a $800 million World Bank loan, and calls on the Federal Government to rescind that request.
“SMBLF decries the rising cost of living in the country and the hyperinflation rate, confining a vast majority of ordinary Nigerians to a dire state of survival. Implores the government at all levels to take urgent, practical steps to rejig the economy, check inflation and help improve citizens’ well-being and prospects.”
The meeting was chaired by a south-south leader, Mr. Edwin Clark and had in attendance leaders of the component organisations Afenifere for the southwest, Ohanaeze Ndigbo for the southeast, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) for the south-south and the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) for the Middle Belt.
The communique was jointly signed Messrs Ayo Adebanjo for Afenifere, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu for Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Pogu Bitrus for MBF and Emmanuel Ibok Essien for PANDEF.
