…Says, “They are all from a section of the country.”
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The National Caucus of Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) rose from a meeting of “serious urgent national importance,” calling on President Bola Tinubu to remove Security Adviser, Ministers of Defence and Minister of State for Defence, respectively, as part of the continuation of the Reform of Security Architecture of his administration.
SMBLF said, while they acknowledged the recent reshuffling of the Service Chiefs and welcomes the appointment of new ones, the forum urged the President to extend this reform to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Minister of Defence, and the Minister of State for Defence, all of whom are presently from one section of the country.
A communiqué of meeting of 1st November 2025, issued, signed and made available to journalists Tuesday in Kaduna, stated that “The National Caucus of the SMBLF met on matters of urgent National Importance, including on the designation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern.’ ”
The communiqué, signed by HRM Oba Oladipo Olaitan, Leader of Afenifere; Dr. Bitrus Pogu, President MBF; Senator John Azuta-Mbata, President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, and H.E. Ambassador Godknows Igali, National Chairman, PANDEF, respectively, resolved on a number of urgent national importance.
SMBL, in the communiqué, noted 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 Forum noted that, while SMBLE affirmed its opposition to any unsolicited foreign military intervention in Nigeria over any matter, it however, considered the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern as a wake-up call to the FG to pursue, with a sense of urgency, and responsibility in halting the ongoing mayhem and killings.
“Furthermore, it also urged FG to face the issues on ground by disarming and prosecuting the ‘known’ militias and killer herdsmen and Islamists terrorists responsible for this, and restore occupied lands to their rightful owners of all faiths and ethnic nationalities, especially in Benue, Plateau, Southern Kaduna, Taraba, Gombe, Southern Bornu, Southern Kebbi and all over the rest of the country.
“Furthermore, the SMBLF acknowledges the recent reshuffling of the Service Chiefs and welcomes the appointment of new ones.
“However, we urge the President to extend this reform to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Minister of Defence, and the Minister of State for Defence all of whom are presently from one section of the country,” it stated.
SMBLF added that, “Doing so will not only ensure a comprehensive overhaul of the national defence architecture but also reflect the diversity of the country.”
On IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, “SMBLF restated 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 and, thus, disapproves of every agitation for its dismemberment.
“SMBLF recalls that the agitations of Nnamdi Kanu and his group were initially peaceful but essentially radicalized by ill-advised and excessive military responses, codenamed “Operations Crocodile Smiles” and “Python Dance” by the erstwhile Buhari administration, leading to Kanu fleeing Nigeria, his arrest in Kenya, return to Nigeria in 2021 and unending prosecution since then.
“SMBLF notes that the agitation for the release of Nnamdi Kanu remains unabated and without prejudice to his ongoing trial in court; reiterates our call that the President, as the father of the nation, adopts a nationalist approach by which the Attorney-General of the Federation is empowered to set necessary constitutional machinery to effect Nnamdi Kanu’s release.
“SMBLF reiterates that the release of Nnamdi Kanu will be a salutary directive, in the interest of the most needed national rehabilitation and peace,” it stated.
On P presidential election 2027, “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 and, now, further resolves that the decision should remain applicable to the 2027 Presidential Election for the same reasons.
“SMBLF notes the decisions of some of the political parties, in line with this now established national political culture, and enjoins all political parties and actors to respect same. Dated this 2nd day of November, 2025,” the communiqué concluded.