Francis Dufugha
Former Nigerian diplomat and elder statesman, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, has explained how prominent socio-political organisations across Nigeria have built alliances and maintained consultations to manage ethnic tensions and strengthen national unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Igali made the disclosure during an appearance on Conversations with Prof. Jideofor Adibe, a podcast where he discussed the relationships among regional socio-political groups, including Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Middle Belt Forum and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).
He disclosed that the organisations had established a common platform known as the Southern and Middle Belt Forum to provide a united voice on issues affecting their respective regions and promote constructive engagement on national matters.
According to Igali, the alliance emerged following disagreements between southern and northern socio-political leaders over an inflammatory statement allegedly made by an official of the Northern Elders Forum during an election period.
He recalled that prominent leaders, including the late Chief Edwin Clark, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Professor George Obiozor and Colonel Dan Suleiman, had approached northern leaders to demand an apology from the individual responsible for the statement.
However, the failure to secure an apology prompted the southern and Middle Belt leaders to strengthen their cooperation and formalise their regional alliance.
Igali clarified that the formation of the Southern and Middle Belt Forum did not translate into a breakdown of relationships with northern socio-political organisations, stressing that consultations and mutual engagements had continued.
He said the forum initially held meetings every two months and maintained regular interactions with the Arewa Consultative Forum, Northern Elders Forum and other northern stakeholders.
According to him, the relationship had remained cordial, with leaders attending one another’s programmes, exchanging views and maintaining channels of communication on issues of national importance.
“With the Southern and Middle Belt Forum, the Northern Elders Forum and AREWA, we still talk. We attend each other’s activities, we encourage each other, and we have a consultative arrangement,” he said.
The former diplomat explained that the consultative mechanism was particularly important in addressing inflammatory public statements capable of aggravating ethnic divisions and threatening peaceful coexistence.
“When these inflammatory statements take place, we expect our people to talk to each other so that they don’t overheat,” he added.
Igali further noted that the collaboration among the regional organisations had gone beyond political and ethnic interests to encompass broader national concerns, particularly insecurity and the protection of vulnerable communities.
He cited instances in which youths from the Niger Delta travelled to Benue and Plateau states to express solidarity with communities facing security challenges, describing such gestures as evidence of growing inter-regional cooperation.
He maintained that insecurity in any part of the country should be a concern for all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic or geographical differences.
“Because we are one country, and we have to have peace around the country,” Igali said.
He emphasised that sustained dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation among regional leaders remained essential to managing ethnic differences, preventing political tensions and building a more united Nigeria as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
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