Be Courageous to Implement 2014 Confab Report on Restructuring, SMBLF Tells Tinubu

Says worsening insecurity reinforces call for state policing Warns against tolerating Miyetti Allah militia group Says release of Nnamdi Kanu best interest of the country

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately put machineries towards the implementation of the report of the 2014 National Conference on restructuring, so as to mitigate the myriads of challenges currently confronting the country.

According to the forum Nigeria has continued to remain "fractured, divided and retrogressing because of the faulty federal system being practice".

In a communique issued at the end of a meeting of leaders of the forum on Monday in Abuja, the SMBLF, observed that President Tinubu had in the past carved out a name through his efforts in fighting for true federalism in the country and as such "have the courage to lead the country into proper practice of federalism as obtained all over the world ".

The meeting chaired by elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clarke, alongside Ayo Adebanjo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Dr Pogu Bitrus and Senator Emmanuel Essien amongst others therefore urged the president to, "set in motion the machinery towards the eventual constitutional amendment by implementing the 2014 National Conference Report and the el Rufai Committee Report on True Federalism of 2018 set up by the APC government ".

Meanwhile, the forum has called on the president to do all within his powers to bring under control the worsening insecurity in the country, stressing that it is inconceivable that criminal groups have taken over some villages, communities and highways without adequate response from those responsible for securing the nation.

The forum which stated that the primary duty of government is the protection of lives and property of its citizens, reminded Tinubu that the buck stops on the table of Mr President and as such he should take drastic measures to tackle the insecurity in the country.

They also called on the heads of security agencies in the country to redouble their efforts, adding that the development has further reinforce the call for the rejigging of the country's security architecture and the urgent need for the creation of state policing.

Besides, the forum "vehemently condemn the setting up of an ethnic militia by the Miyetti Allah Kauote Hore" a fortnight ago in Lafia, Nasarawa State, warning that should the federal government condone the action, it would force other ethnicities into setting up their own armies thereby leading to the disintegration of the country.

Meanwhile, the forum has joined calls for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, arguing that Kanu's release would go a long way in restoring peace in the South East of the country.

On the economy and the continued downward slide of the nation's currency, the Naira, the forum urged the president and his team to immediately come up with tangible solutions to end the suffering of Nigerians.

According to the forum, the rising poverty in the country puts the very existence of the federation to a great risk.