SMBLF Sounds the Alarm: “Nigeria Tilting Toward Authoritarian Rule”

**Accuses Police, INEC of Partisanship

**Demands Action on Killings, Abductions, Strikes

Nigeria is “dangerously veering off the path of democracy,” the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) declared on Wednesday after an emergency strategy session in Abuja that brought together the leadership of Afenifere, PANDEF, the Middle Belt Forum and delegations from the South-West, South-East and South-South.
Presided over by Afenifere leader HRM Oba Olaitan, the meeting examined what the Forum described as a disturbing pattern of political intolerance, rising insecurity and institutional failures threatening national stability.
SMBLF said it is increasingly evident that Nigeria is “sliding toward one-party dominance,” citing coordinated defections, the weakening of opposition structures and what they called the “weaponisation of state power for political consolidation.”
They pointed to the violent clash at the PDP national headquarters on November 18 — involving a serving minister and sitting governors — describing it as “a shameful violation of democratic norms and a glimpse into the growing culture of impunity.”
The Forum condemned the Nigeria Police for “intruding into partisan conflicts,” and accused INEC chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, of failing to bring early intervention that could calm the political space ahead of the 2027 elections.
On national security, SMBLF said Nigeria is under “a full-scale siege,” citing the killing of Brigadier General Uba in Borno, the abduction of schoolgirls in Maga, Kebbi State, and escalating attacks in Kaduna, Kwara and Kogi.
According to the Forum, evidence shows that most victims are Christians and indigenous ethnic groups, while many attackers belong to Fulani and Kanuri extremist cells — including militants crossing Nigeria’s porous borders.
They urged the Federal Government to stop what they described as ongoing ethnic cleansing, act decisively to free abducted schoolchildren, partner sincerely with the United States and other allies, and immediately launch a programme for the safe return of displaced Middle Belt communities to their ancestral lands.
On the labour front, the leaders warned that unresolved issues with ASUU could trigger another nationwide university shutdown. They also appealed for swift resolution of the resident doctors’ strike, noting that poor Nigerians who depend on public hospitals “are the ones bearing the heaviest burden.”
The communiqué was signed by HRH Oba Olaitan (Leader, Afenifere), Dr. Pogu Bitrus (President-General, Middle Belt Forum), and Amb. Godknows Boladei Igali, PhD, OON (National Chairman, PANDEF).