Samuel forani
Abuja
– The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has expressed serious concern over the recent designation of Nigeria by United States President Donald Trump as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to alleged widespread persecution of Christians, even as it opposed any form of foreign military intervention in the country.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its National Caucus meeting held on Saturday, November 2, 2025, the Forum described Trump’s designation as a “wake-up call” to the Federal Government to act decisively in halting what it called “the ongoing mayhem and killings” across the country.
The meeting, which brought together leaders of the four major socio-cultural and political blocs—Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Middle Belt Forum, and PANDEF—was convened to discuss matters of urgent national importance, particularly the US designation, insecurity, and the political direction of Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the communiqué signed by HRM Oba Oladipo Olaitan, Leader of Afenifere; Dr. Bitrus Pogu, President of the Middle Belt Forum; Senator John Azuta-Mbata, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide; and H.E. Ambassador Godknows Igali, National Chairman of PANDEF, the Forum noted that while Nigeria must reject external interference, it must equally confront internal threats that have destroyed lives and displaced communities.
“The SMBLF notes with very serious concern the designation by the US President Donald Trump of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious persecution against Christians,” the communiqué stated.
The leaders affirmed their opposition to any “unsolicited foreign military intervention in Nigeria over any matter.” However, they described the CPC designation as a serious warning to the authorities in Abuja to take full responsibility for restoring order, justice, and equity in the handling of national security.
“We consider the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern a wake-up call to the Federal Government to pursue with a sense of urgency and responsibility halting the ongoing mayhem and killings,” the communiqué read.
The Forum specifically called on the government to confront and dismantle the various militias, killer herdsmen, and Islamist terrorist groups that have been blamed for massacres and land seizures in parts of the country. It urged the administration to “restore occupied lands to their rightful owners of all faiths and ethnic nationalities,” naming Benue, Plateau, Southern Kaduna, Taraba, Gombe, Southern Borno, and Southern Kebbi as areas most affected by the violence.
Call for Security Sector Reforms
While acknowledging the recent reshuffling of the nation’s Service Chiefs, the SMBLF said the move was welcome but insufficient. The Forum called on the President to extend the reform process to other key defence and security institutions, particularly the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Minister of Defence, and the Minister of State for Defence.
According to the Forum, these strategic positions “are presently occupied by persons from one section of the country,” a situation that does not reflect Nigeria’s ethnic and regional diversity.
“This will not only ensure a comprehensive overhaul of the national defence architecture but also reflect the diversity of the country,” the communiqué declared.
Nnamdi Kanu’s Continued Detention
On the issue of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, the SMBLF reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s unity but criticized what it described as the excessive military response by previous administrations to peaceful agitations.
“SMBLF restates its commitment to the unity and continued coexistence of the Nigerian Federation wherein every citizen and constituent ethnic nationality will be equally respected and have genuine sense of belonging,” the statement read.
The Forum recalled that Kanu’s agitation began peacefully but was “radicalised by ill-advised and excessive military responses codenamed operations ‘Crocodile Smile’ and ‘Python Dance’ by the erstwhile Buhari administration.” These military campaigns, the group argued, forced Kanu into exile, leading to his arrest in Kenya, rendition to Nigeria in 2021, and ongoing prosecution since then.
Without prejudice to his trial, the Forum urged the current President to adopt a more conciliatory and statesmanlike approach to the issue by directing the Attorney-General of the Federation to activate constitutional mechanisms for Kanu’s release.
“The release of Nnamdi Kanu will be a salutary directive in the interest of the most needed national rehabilitation and peace,” the communiqué emphasized.
The leaders stressed that resolving the Kanu question would go a long way in reducing ethnic tension and rebuilding trust in the Nigerian state, especially among the Igbo people of the Southeast who feel politically and economically marginalized.
2027 Presidential Election
Turning to the political horizon, the SMBLF reiterated its earlier resolution from 2021 that the presidency should rotate to the South, insisting that the principle of power rotation must continue into the 2027 elections to ensure fairness, equity, and stability.
“SMBLF recalled its decision in 2021 that the President of Nigeria in the 2023 election should be from the Southern part of the country in demonstration of our commitment to restructuring and national stability,” the communiqué stated.
The Forum added that the same principle should guide the 2027 election, describing rotational presidency as “an established national political culture” that helps preserve unity in a multi-ethnic federation like Nigeria.
“The decision should remain applicable to the 2027 Presidential Election for the same reasons,” it said, commending political parties that have already aligned with this zoning arrangement.
The leaders urged all political actors to respect the spirit of inclusion by recognizing that equitable power-sharing among the country’s diverse regions was vital for sustaining democracy and peace.
A Call for National Renewal
In conclusion, the SMBLF emphasized that the Federal Government must rise above political divisions and religious sentiments to address Nigeria’s growing insecurity, economic hardship, and the erosion of trust between its various ethnic groups.
The Forum urged President Tinubu to take Trump’s CPC designation not as an insult but as a challenge to demonstrate leadership by tackling the root causes of Nigeria’s violent conflicts—impunity, religious extremism, and institutional bias.
It also encouraged citizens to reject narratives of hate and division, calling instead for a “national reawakening” where every Nigerian feels protected and represented regardless of faith or ethnicity.
The communiqué was signed and dated this 2nd day of November 2025 by HRM Oba Oladipo Olaitan (Afenifere), Dr. Bitrus Pogu (Middle Belt Forum), Senator John Azuta-Mbata (Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide), and H.E. Ambassador Godknows Igali (PANDEF).
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Dan Zaki Media 