Southern And Middle Belt Leaders Forum To Buhari: Restructure Nigeria To Save It From Death
BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), has declared that it is time to restructure Nigeria to save it from total collapse and or death.
National Leader of the SMBLF, Chief Edwin Clark, who stated the position of the Forum at its expanded meeting in Abuja on Sunday, tasked President Muhammadu Buhari to act like the politician that he is and address Nigerians on the various challenges particularly the worsening insecurity facing the country.
Clark however said that secession is the not the solution to the myriad of crises confronting the country, stressing that the North or South alone cannot rule this country successfully.
He canvassed for the recognition, respect and continuation of the zoning arrangement which he said is constitutional, saying that the SMBLF strongly want the 2023 presidency zoned to the South.
Clark further said; “The purpose of this meeting is very clear. Where are we going in Nigeria? Some are asking for secession, others for a breakup, others are running a unitary system of government etc.
“President Buhari once said if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria. I say, if we don’t restructure, Nigeria will die. Secession is not the answer.
“Time is moving fast and there is the need to state our position very clear to Nigerians.
“Mr. President is not an emperor, he is not a king, he is not a monarch, he is a politician. He should therefore come out and meet some of us who were here before even he was an ordinary soldier. This country belongs to all of us, the north alone or the south alone cannot rule this country,” he said.
The SMBLF said that Nigeria is still running a unitary system of government, stressing that; “it is time to restructure.”
Commenting on the ongoing process of attempting to amend the 1999 Constitution, Clark noted that the National Assembly spends N2 billion each time for constitutional review, saying that Nigerians are desirous of a brand new constitution.
In his words; I have no confidence in any amendment of the constitution. We are here for two things: Nigeria should be restructured”.
In attendance at the expanded meeting of the SMBLF were the leader of Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Prof. George Obiozo, Air Commodore Dan Sulieman, Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw, Bitrus Pogu, and Godknows Igali.
Leaders of the Forum observed a minute silence for its late Publicity Secretary and Secretary of Afenifere, Late Yinka Odumakin and the Late Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-General Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 others who died in a recent Kaduna plane crash.
