By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Rising from its meeting where current developments in the country were exhaustively discussed, the coalition of Southern and Middle Belt Leaders (SMBL) has called on the federal government to urgently embark on restructuring Nigeria.

“That the Federal Government should, as a matter of urgency and priority, work towards the restructuring of the country and enthrone true federalism as was originally entrenched in the 1960 and 1963 constitutions,” the group said a communique issued at the end of its meeting.

SMBL warned sternly that “without restructuring, the future of Nigeria and democracy remain bleak and must, therefore, be carried out immediately.”

It expressed great concern and total rejection of the trend where certain sections of the country, were continually marginalized in the number of states, local governments, and even appointments into the Federal Executive Council.

SMBLF particularly requested that the South-East be appropriately represented in the Federal Executive Council, similar to other Geo-Political Zones.

Leaders of the group, in a seven-point communique made available to News Express, insisted that Nigeria must remain a country where all citizens and sections enjoy a full sense of belonging and equality;

Dwelling on the 2023 Presidential Election, the SMBLF leaders of thought hailed the political class, especially the leading Presidential candidates in the 2023 Presidential Election for their recourse to constitutional means in redressing their grievances; noting that the Supreme Court judgment on the 2023 Presidential Election delivered on Thursday, October 26, 2023, has effectively brought to an end the legal processes on the conduct and outcome of the Presidential Election, held on February 25, 2023.

It added: “We will, in the coming days, make a substantial pronouncement on the judgment.”

While expressing concerns being shared across the nation, SMBLF called for redoubling of efforts to assuage the daily depreciating living standard of Nigerians.

It also asked the Federal Government to urgently salvage the Naira, which has continued to to depreciate daily.

The group further advised that federal government takes 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,” the group said.

“That the Federal Capital Territory remains the national patrimony of all Nigerians; thus, the group condemned the present efforts by some to arrogate to themselves, the exclusiveness of FCT.

“This must be rejected and the promoters of such views should be called to order,” SMBLF said.

It also wants President Tinubu to urgently review the 2014 National Conference Report, compiled by 494 of the Country’s leaders, as well as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Report on True Federalism.

The meeting also 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.

It also congratulated Chief Edwin K. Clark on his 96th Birthday, on May 25, 2023, and on the successful launch of his autobiography “Brutally Frank,” held on August 17, 2023.

The communique was signed by Chief E.K Clark, SMBLF leader who also chaired the meeting(leader); Chief Ayo Adebanjo (Leader of Afenifere), Chief Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, among others.

The meeting had had in attendance, several national leaders, including Chief Ayo Adebanjo - Leader, Afenifere, Dr. Pogu Bitrus - President, Middle Belt Forum, Chief Sen. Cornelius Adebayo - former Governor of Kwara State, Obong Victor Attah, a former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, and Senator Emmanuel Ibok-Essien - National Chairman, PANDEF.Others were General Zamani Lekwot (Rtd.), a former Military Governor of Rivers State, General Lawrence Onoja (Rtd.), a former Military Governor of Katsina State, Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Ishaya Bamaiyi, a former Chief of Army Staff, Chief Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, aformer Governor of Anambra State, Chief S.N. Okeke - a former Chairman, Police Service Commission; Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, pioneer Chairman of NDDC; Chief (Barr.) Sola Ebiseni, National Secretary, Afenifere, Amb. (Dr.) Godknows Igali, Amb. Okey Emuchay, 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.), Engmr. 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, Jonathan Asake, Mrs. Elizabeth Jibrin, Chief Hon. Olivia Agbajoh Esq, Dr. Ken Robinson, among others.