Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
A group on the platform of the Middle Belt Forum has vowed to vehemently work against any political coalition that might throw up the former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, for the position of presidential or vice-presidential candidate.
The Middle Belt Forum national spokesperson, Luka Binniyat, in a statement, said that El-Rufai is and remains a sworn enemy of the Middle Belt Forum and Southern Kaduna people, hence they would work against his plans to further occupy elected political office.
According to him “Let me reiterate again without any equivocation that the Middle Belt region of Nigeria will not be favourably disposed to supporting any candidate or coalition that picks former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as a running mate in the 2027 election irrespective of the competence of such candidate. El-Rufai remains a sworn enemy of Southern Kaduna and the Middle Belt. We can’t risk him as VP at all.”
Binniyat added that the position of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) on the 2027 presidential election remains firmly aligned with the understanding reached with the Southern Leadership Forum ahead of the 2023 general elections.
He stated that the MBF, alongside Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, and the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), had unanimously agreed that the presidency should return to the South for two terms in the interest of equity, justice, and national cohesion.
“As the umbrella socio-cultural body representing over 300 ethnic nationalities across 14 states of northern Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the MBF will consider supporting any southern presidential candidate who genuinely commits to addressing the historical marginalisation of the Middle Belt and advancing our collective interests.
“We intend to enter into a clearly defined, written understanding with such a candidate, detailing mutual commitments for progress, equity, and the development of our diverse communities. This will be driven not by sentiment but by strategic interest and principles.
“It must, however, be stated unequivocally that any southern candidate, regardless of how promising and honourable, who aligns with individuals or groups known to have in the past oppressed or undermined the people and interests of the Middle Belt will automatically forfeit our support.
“A major plus for any of such presidential hopeful would be the choice of a credible Middle Belt son or daughter as a running mate. In 2023, the Middle Belt delivered millions of votes across Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, Kwara, Taraba, Adamawa, Southern Kaduna, Southern Kebbi, Southern Borno, Gombe, Southern Yobe, Southern Bauchi, and the FCT as bloc votes. We remain a decisive electoral bloc.
“The MBF is watching the ongoing political realignments with keen interest. But our position is clear, principled, and unshakable,” Binniyat said.