The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has strongly backed the creation of state police but demanded full constitutional powers for governors to appoint and dismiss state Commissioners of Police. The regional leaders warned that any arrangement short of this authority would merely create a "Federal State Police" rather than a genuinely decentralised system rooted in true federalism.

The position was part of the resolutions reached at a stakeholders` meeting held at the PANDEF liaison office in Abuja. The high-level political gathering was attended by prominent elder statesmen, including former Akwa Ibom State Governor Obong Victor Attah, former Enugu State Governor Okwesilieze Nwodo, PANDEF National Chairman Dr Godknows Igali, and Middle Belt Forum President Dr Bitrus Pogu.

Reading the communiqué, SMBLF Chairman and Afenifere leader, Chief Oladipo Olaitan, argued that governors must hold the same executive authority over their state commissioners as the President holds over the Inspector-General of Police. The forum, which comprises Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, PANDEF, and the Middle Belt Forum, insisted that meaningful state policing can only succeed if backed by genuine constitutional autonomy.

Beyond restructuring the security architecture, the forum renewed its demand for a brand-new constitution that would devolve more powers to the federating units and better reflect Nigeria’s federal character. Olaitan stated that the group is prepared to mobilise citizens nationwide to vote exclusively for presidential candidates who are fully committed to delivering a new constitution to the people.

Turning their attention to the upcoming 2027 general elections, the regional leaders reaffirmed their earlier stance that the presidency must remain in the Southern region after President Bola Tinubu’s first term. The leaders argued that maintaining this rotational arrangement is absolutely necessary for national cohesion, equity, and political stability across the country.

The SMBLF also expressed deep concern over the erosion of internal democracy across major political parties, strongly condemning the alleged dominance of party structures by a few individuals during ongoing primary elections. They criticised the situation where an oligarchy handpicks candidates, noting that excluding independent candidates is antithetical to democracy and sustainable national development.

On national security, the forum praised the armed forces for recent successes against criminal elements in parts of the country, specifically highlighting operational gains in Oyo, Zamfara, and Borno states. However, they urged the Federal Government to sustain the momentum and intensify actions in violence-prone states across the Middle Belt, including Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Kwara, and Kogi.

This intervention comes amid growing national debate over the operational framework for state police as the National Assembly considers crucial constitutional amendments. While proponents argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence gathering, critics continue to warn against potential abuse by state governors, leaving the nation divided on the execution strategy.