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From Abel Leonard, Lafia
The Middle Belt Forum has said it will support a southern presidential candidate in 2027 who demonstrates competence and commitment to peace, inclusion, restructuring and the socio-economic advancement of the region.
A member of the Forum, Akor-Abagi, who spoke on behalf of the coordinator in an interview on Saturday said the Middle Belt would not approach the 2027 election merely as an electoral bloc, but would demand concrete commitments from presidential candidates.
He said the recent engagement with Dr. Adebayo was not an endorsement but a consultation to understand the challenges and potentials of the region.
“His message centered on restructuring, state policing, and treating the Middle Belt as a national security priority, not just an election bloc,” he said.
According to him, Adebayo’s emphasis on understanding the challenges of the region was important because “any leaders who don’t understand the challenges and opportunities of the Middle Belt region cannot be result oriented.”
He, however, said the Forum would judge candidates by their policies and actions rather than rhetoric.
“The key test will be concrete policy and appointments, not just rhetoric,” he said.
On insecurity, Akor-Abagi said MBF expects any serious presidential candidate to prioritise state and community policing, justice for victims and the protection of farmlands.
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“The issue is not simply about making promises. There must be concrete policy, funding plans and timelines. There must also be a clear approach to dealing with illegal armed groups and land-grabbing networks,” he said.
He identified justice, equity, inclusion and land protection as major areas candidates must address, including prosecution of perpetrators, compensation for victims, fair federal appointments, constitutional reforms for true federalism, state police and legal protection of ancestral lands.
On power rotation, Akor-Abagi said the Middle Belt still believed in fairness and rotation but would prioritise competence and commitment to restructuring in 2027.
“Yes, the principle of rotation and fairness still matters to us. But in 2027, the focus is shifting to competence plus commitment to restructuring. The region will back whoever guarantees it safety and inclusion,” he said.
He added: “To be precise, the power should still be with the South. However, in 2031, the presidential candidacy should return to the Middle Belt.”
He said the three urgent issues for the next Federal Government were insecurity, displacement and development, including the resettlement of IDPs, protection of farms and provision of roads, water, healthcare and education.
“The Forum’s tradition is to set benchmarks first. If a candidate meets them, collective endorsement is possible,” he said.
Akor-Abagi said candidates seeking the confidence of the Middle Belt must publish policies with budgets and timelines, appoint competent people from the region to key security and economic positions and engage affected communities beyond election periods.
“The key test will be concrete policy and appointments, not just rhetoric,” he said.
