The National Caucus of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has rejected the plan by the president of the United states of America, Donald Trump to intervene militarily in Nigeria to stop what he called genocide against Christians in the country.

In a communique issued at the end of its meeting, the group, which is made up of  Middle Belt Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum and Afenifere urged the federal government to see the designation of Nigeria as a country of particular concern as a wake up call to address the security challenges in the country.

“The SMBLF notes with very serious concern the designation by the US President Donald Trump of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious persecution against Christians.

“The SMBLF affirms its opposition to any unsolicited foreign military intervention in Nigeria over any matter. However, we consider the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern a wake-up call to the Federal Government to pursue with a sense of urgency and responsibility  halting the ongoing mayhem and killings.  Furthermore face the issues on ground in disarming and prosecuting the known militias and killer herdsmen and Islamists terrorists responsible for this, and restore occupied lands to their rightful owners of all faiths and ethnic nationalities  especially in Benue, Plateau,  Southern Kaduna, Taraba, Gombe, Southern Bornu, Southern Kebbi and all over the rest of the country” it noted.

While commending President Tinubu for the recent changes he made to the leadership of the Nigeria Armed Forces, the SMBLF called on the president to “extend this reform to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Minister of Defence, and the Minister of State for Defence”.

“The SMBLF acknowledges the recent reshuffling of the Service Chiefs and welcomes the appointment of new ones. However, we urge the President to extend this reform to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Minister of Defence, and the Minister of State for Defence all of whom are presently from one section of the country.  This will not only ensure a comprehensive overhaul of the national defence architecture but also reflect the diversity of the country” it said.

While reiterating its commitment to the unity of the country, the group called on President Tinubu to as the “father of the Nation” explore ways of releasing the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

“SMBLF restates its commitment to the unity and continued coexistence of the Nigerian Federation wherein every citizen and constituent ethnic nationality will be equally respected and have genuine sense of belonging and thus disapproves of every agitation for its dismemberment.

“SMBLF recalls that the agitations of Nnamdi Kanu and his group was initially peaceful but essentially radicalised by ill-advised and excessive military responses codenamed operations “crocodile smiles” and “python dance” by the erstwhile Buhari administration leading to Kanu fleeing Nigeria, his arrest in Kenya, return to Nigeria in 2021 and unending prosecution since then.

“SMBLF notes that the agitation for the release of Nnamdi Kanu remains unabated and without prejudice to his ongoing trial in court, reiterates our call that the President, as the father of the nation, adopts, a nationalist approach by which the Attorney-General of the federation is empowered to set necessary constitutional machinery to effect Nnamdi Kanu’s release.

“SMBLF reiterates that the release of Nnamdi Kanu will be a salutary directive in the interest of the most needed national rehabilitation and peace” it said.

On the 2027 presidential election, SMBLF reiterated that the President of Nigeria should be from the Southern part of the country in “demonstration of our commitment to restructuring and national stability”.