*SOKAPU Asks Candidates To Enter Into Written MoU With Body, If They Desire Southern Kaduna Votes
*Lists Demands
*’We Won’t Accept Political Promises Only Any Longer’
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has raised grave concern over the increasingly tense political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that Nigeria cannot afford an electoral process overshadowed by doubts about institutional integrity, intimidation of opponents and uncertainty over citizens’ democratic choices.
The Southern and Middle Belt regions, structurally, amount to three-quarters of Nigeria.
In a press statement dated 9 November, 2026, signed by its leaders, the Forum said with the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for 16 January, 2027, the credibility of the polls is now under serious threat.
The statement was signed by HRM Oba Oladipo Olaitan, Chairman of SMBLF and Leader of Afenifere; Dr. Bitrus Pogu, President, Middle Belt Forum; Senator John Azuta-Mbata, President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide; and Ambassador Godknows Igali, National Chairman of PANDEF.
The Forum said its most urgent concern is the disturbing discovery of suspected Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated photographs, duplicate entries and records reportedly belonging to unknown persons in the preliminary voters’ register published by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to SMBLF, the revelations followed the public release of registration data, which,it noted, have provoked widespread anxiety about the credibility of the forthcoming polls.
The Forum therefore demanded an urgent, independent forensic audit of the voters’ register by electoral technology specialists, civil society representatives and other qualified stakeholders.
Beyond the register, the Commission must demonstrate readiness to deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) reliably, protect election infrastructure, train personnel adequately and ensure transparent collation and prompt publication of polling-unit results in accordance with the law,the leaders demanded.
“INEC must learn from previous controversies over its usage of technology in result transmission and restore public trust,” the Forum said.
The SMBLF also raised alarm over reports and video footage of attacks on political figures, including reported incidents involving the Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi in Makurdi and later in other locations, as well as Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC) in Ekiti State.
“Whatever their political affiliations, no candidate or supporter should face violence for participating in democratic activities. Security agencies must investigate these incidents impartially, identify perpetrators and sponsors where evidence warrants, and bring offenders before the courts,” the Forum said.
It similarly condemned the destruction of campaign billboards, posters and other materials, describing such conduct as unacceptable and a violation of the spirit of political competition that could escalate into avoidable violence.
The Forum further urged the judiciary and all electoral institutions to act with independence and dispatch, warning that prolonged uncertainty over party leadership and candidate eligibility so close to polling day can deprive voters of meaningful choices and weaken confidence in the democratic system.
For the avoidance of doubt, the SMBLF clarified that it has not adopted any presidential candidate or political party as the collective choice of the Forum,saying its position on issues was to ensure a credible electoral process.
“Our commitment is to a peaceful, credible and inclusive electoral process in which every eligible Nigerian can vote freely, without coercion, inducement or fear,” the statement concluded.
SOKAPU Asks Candidates To Enter Into Written MoU With Body,For Votes
Meanwhile, the Southern Kaduna Peoples’ Union (SOKAPU) has declared that no candidate will get bloc vote of its people in the 2027 general elections without signing a binding social and political contract addressing insecurity, marginalisation, equitable development and other long-standing demands of the region.
The body said it will no longer support candidates based on party loyalty, campaign promises or ethnic sentiments, insisting that political support must now be earned through written, measurable and accountable commitments.
SOKAPU made its position known on during a press conference held in collaboration with the leadership of its Community Development Associations (CDAs) Standing Committee at its secretariat in Sabon Tasha, Kaduna.
The press conference was led by the National President of SOKAPU, Engr. Tabara Samuel Kato, alongside Comrade Manasseh Mamman.
Presenting its terms of socio-political engagement for 2027, SOKAPU declared that any candidate seeking the collective support of Southern Kaduna people, irrespective of political party, must formally endorse a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the organisation and leaders of its constituent communities.
It stated categorically that there would be no automatic bloc vote for any political party or candidate without the signing of the proposed agreement.
SOKAPU identified insecurity, displacement, alleged marginalisation in political appointments and infrastructure distribution, interference with traditional institutions, and the stalled agitation for the creation of Gurara State as major grievances of Southern Kaduna people.
According to the association, communities across Zangon Kataf, Kauru, Kaura, Jema’a, Kagarko, Kachia and Kajuru have suffered persistent attacks, banditry and displacement, resulting in loss of lives, destruction of livelihoods and abandonment of farmlands.
It lamented that several affected communities were yet to be adequately reconstructed, while some displaced residents remained unable to return to their ancestral homes.
The association also expressed concern over what it described as historical under-representation of Southern Kaduna in key government appointments and the unequal distribution of capital projects, particularly roads, healthcare facilities and educational infrastructure.
On traditional institutions, SOKAPU called for an immediate reversal of what it described as arbitrary downgrading and interference with Southern Kaduna chiefdoms and traditional stools.
It further demanded constitutional and structural reforms, including support for the creation of Gurara State, practical federalism and full financial and administrative autonomy for local governments.
Outlining its five non-negotiable conditions for political support in 2027, SOKAPU placed security at the forefront:
“Security in First 100 Days: A documented and time-bound commitment to address rural attacks, protect farming communities and deploy effective security personnel and intelligence to vulnerable areas within the first 100 days in office.
“Equity and Inclusion: A written quota system for appointments into executive councils, government boards and civil service leadership positions to ensure proportional representation.
“Infrastructure: Establishment of a dedicated Southern Kaduna Development Fund or prioritised budgetary allocations to rebuild schools, primary healthcare centres, rural roads, bridges and other public infrastructure destroyed during years of insecurity.
“Traditional Institutions: Written commitments to restore the status of Southern Kaduna chiefdoms as they existed before the 2015 general elections, protect the cultural identity of the people and support freedom of regional association for traditional rulers.
“Gurara State and Reforms: Legislative and political backing for boundary adjustments and the creation of Gurara State.”
As part of its accountability framework, SOKAPU said candidates who sign the agreement must submit to periodic performance assessments, including mid-term accountability town hall meetings involving SOKAPU, CDAs and civil society organisations.
It warned that candidates who fail to honour their commitments would face public denunciation by the association.
The organisation also emphasised greater inclusion of women and young people in governance, demanding practical programmes focused on women’s economic empowerment, education, safety, youth employment and skills acquisition.
SOKAPU maintained that its position was not directed against any political party, candidate, religious group or region, stressing that its primary concern was justice, security, equity and sustainable development for Southern Kaduna.
It concluded that Southern Kaduna would no longer give its votes based on political promises, declaring that candidates must demonstrate commitment to the people’s welfare through clear, measurable and enforceable agreements before receiving collective support in 2027.
