Do not impose an interim government, warns SMBLF FG

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum has expressed concern over the state of the nation and the 2023 general election, but warned that any attempt to impose an “interim government” will be resisted.

The organization also expressed concern about the current hardships faced by Nigerians due to the unavailability of new naira notes, the fuel situation and the difficulties of collecting permanent voter cards.

The SMBLF raised the issues in a communiqué made available to journalists following Friday’s extraordinary meeting in Abuja.

The communiqué was signed by Chief Edwin Clark (South South); Chef Ayo Adebanjo (Afenifere); Dr. Pogu Bitrus (Middle Belt Forum); Dame Betty Igbeyi (PANDEF); Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele; and Ambassador Okey Emuchay (Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide).

The communiqué read: “SMBLF urges Nigerians to go out en masse, in all 176,846 polling stations across the country, on Election Day, February 25, 2023, to exercise their right to vote and give the nation a president who will “change” that we really desire and deserve.

“It warns political stakeholders, especially the candidates and their supporters, at all levels, to avoid all acts of violence before, during and after the elections. Let’s give peace a chance; Nigeria is our country and we have no other country.

“It warns that any attempt to scuttle the 2023 general election and impose an interim government will be vehemently opposed.”

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