Abuja, 26th March 2026
The Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum has urged all political parties in Nigeria to zone their presidential tickets to the South, describing the move as critical for equity, justice, and fairness to the nation’s diverse federating units and ethnic nationalities.
The forum leadership also called for true federalism to give all ethnic nationalities and federating states the required autonomy upon which Nigeria was built by her founding fathers. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the National Chairman of the forum Oladipo Olaitan and leader of the forum stated that restructuring Nigeria along the lines of true federalism remains critical to national development. He further emphasized that the time for state police is now as a practical measure to address the country’s worsening security challenges.
The forum warned that political parties must adopt zoning principles and prioritize national unity, stressing that failure to do so could exacerbate divisions across the country. Leaders called on stakeholders and political actors to act in the interest of fairness and inclusivity, reinforcing that a southern presidency aligns with justice, equity, and mutual respect among Nigeria’s diverse populations.
The call from the Southern and Middle Belt Forum comes amid growing public demand for a more inclusive political arrangement and stronger regional representation in the nation’s leadership structure.
