Leaders and elder statesmen from four geopolitical zones, under the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), have warned that recent political and security developments point to a potential coordinated assault on Nigeria’s democracy.

At a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the Forum expressed deep concern over the systematic weakening of political pluralism, shrinking democratic space, and internal crises within opposition parties, trends they say could edge the country toward de facto one-party dominance.

The meeting, held at the liaison office of the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF), was chaired by HRM Oba Oladipo Olaitan (Afenifere) and attended by officials from PANDEF, the Middle Belt Forum, former governors, legislators, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders.

The communiqué, signed by Oba Olaitan, Dr. Pogu Bitrus (Middle Belt Forum), and Ambassador Godknows Igali (PANDEF), highlighted recent confrontations at a major opposition party secretariat and the involvement of security operatives in partisan activities as signals of political instability and erosion of public confidence.

“A democracy without a strong and viable opposition becomes vulnerable to abuse,” the statement read.

The Forum condemned opportunistic political alliances and defections, warning that such manoeuvres undermine Nigeria’s democratic development. It urged all security agencies to maintain professionalism and neutrality, cautioning against political intimidation.

On the electoral front, SMBLF called on INEC to take proactive steps ahead of the 2027 general elections to sustain public confidence in the electoral process.

The leaders also raised alarms over worsening insecurity, referencing attacks in Borno, Kebbi, Kaduna, Kwara, and Kogi states, including the recent abduction of schoolgirls in Maga, Kebbi. They urged the Federal Government to intensify security operations and ensure the safe return of abducted students.

The Forum called for urgent rehabilitation and resettlement programmes for displaced persons in the Middle Belt and other affected regions.

Finally, SMBLF highlighted the impact of ongoing labour disputes, including the ASUU strike and resident doctors’ strike, on education and healthcare, urging government negotiations to mitigate disruptions to essential public services.