2027 Presidency: Afenifere, Ohanaeze, PANDEF Demand Southern Candidate, Push for State Police

Southern and Middle Belt leaders link zoning and security reforms to national stability

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By A1 News International
Abuja, Nigeria — March 25, 2026

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has called on political parties to zone their 2027 presidential tickets to Southern Nigeria, citing the need for equity and national stability.

The group, comprising Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), also renewed its demand for the establishment of state police to tackle rising insecurity.

At a joint press conference in Abuja, leaders of the forum urged political parties to ensure their presidential candidates for 2027 emerge from the South.

Chairman of the forum and Afenifere leader, Oladipo Olaitan, said the position aligns with Nigeria’s post-1999 zoning arrangement and reflects a necessary balance after the eight-year tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari from the North.

He stressed that zoning the presidency to the South has become part of Nigeria’s evolving democratic culture and remains critical to political stability.

Security Concerns and State Police Demand

Beyond the presidency, the forum expressed alarm over worsening insecurity across the country, claiming that vast portions of Nigeria’s territory remain effectively ungoverned.

According to SMBLF, the scale of insecurity has overwhelmed existing security architecture, with personnel strength insufficient to address the crisis.

The group reiterated its call for constitutional amendments to enable state and community policing, arguing that local intelligence is key to effective security management.

It also announced the formation of a 12-member committee of security experts to contribute to the framework for implementing state police.

Position on Federal Policies and Economy

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The forum criticised the Federal Government’s deradicalisation and reintegration programme for former insurgents, calling for its suspension while urging communities to take proactive steps in defending themselves.

On economic issues, SMBLF urged the government to intensify efforts to address hardship by supporting local refining capacity and reducing dependence on imported petroleum products.

The group emphasised that strengthening domestic refining would ease pressure on the economy and improve energy security.

The meeting was attended by key regional leaders, including Bitrus Pogu, John Azuta-Mbata, and Godknows Igali, alongside representatives of member states.

Also present was the National Christian Elders Forum led by its chairman, Samuel Gani.

The forum has consistently advocated restructuring, devolution of powers, and greater autonomy for federating units within Nigeria’s federal system.

The renewed push for Southern zoning and state policing reflects deepening regional concerns over equity, governance, and security architecture ahead of the 2027 elections. With political parties approaching internal primaries, such demands could shape candidate selection and influence national discourse on federal balance.

At the same time, calls for decentralised policing highlight growing dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s centralised security system amid persistent violence and territorial control challenges.