The Southern and Middle -Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has applauded the federal government, particularly the armed forces, for renewed war against bandits and insurgents in the country. The forum said this Tuesday in Abuja through a communique issued after the end of its general meeting and read by its chairman and leader of Afenifere , Oladipo Olaitan.
Olaitan said : ” SMBLF recognised and appreciated the renewed efforts and successes of the armed forces on the state of security, particularly in Oyo, Zamfara, Borno and urged renewed momentum in the Middle Belt, particularly Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Kwara, and Kogi.”
The forum however called on the federal government to intensify actions including collaboration with our neighbours and the international community for more potent war against terrorists, bandits and kidnappers in the country.
It also admonished the judiciary to remain truly independent and ever alert to its constitutional roles of interpreting the constitution and the laws in the interest of peace, stability and progress of the nation and its democracy.
For the Nigerian press, the forum urged it to remain ever vigilant as the Fourth Estate of the Realm in line with its acknowledged historic roles in the struggle for Nigerian Independence and as a veritable defender of her democracy.
Ahead of the 2027 general election, SMBLF admonished the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC), to make the elections fair, free and credible.