The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has endorsed the Presidential candidate of the, Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi.
The was announced in a communique issued on Thursday at the end of a meeting of the forum in Abuja.
The communique was read by the immediate past president-general of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, John Nwodo.
The forum which is chaired by chaired by elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, is made up of leaders from the middle-belt, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).
The group warned that it will resist those who want undermine the 2023 elections and peaceful transition to next civilian government.
The communique read: “That we give our unalloyed vote of thanks to our father and leader, Chief Edwin Clark, for his boldness, his sagacity, his tenacity, and his relentlessness in pursuing the aims and aspirations of this organisation.
“That we warn all those who want to change the hands of the clock of Nigeria by doing anything that will derail a peaceful transition to the next civilian government of this country, that we shall rise like one man in defence of the ballot box and that Nigerians must go to vote.
“This we have resolved today and we enjoin other Nigerians who do not belong to our organisation to join us in realising this for the betterment of Nigeria: Peter Obi is your son and he is the rock upon which Nigeria will stand.
Former President Olusegun Onasanjo had in his new year message on January 1, endorsed Obi, saying he has an edge over others.
The former President, while endorsing Obi, had said: “None of the contestants is a saint but when one compares their character, antecedent, their understanding, knowledge, discipline, and vitality that they can bring to bear and the great efforts required to stay focused on the job, particularly looking at where the country is today and with the experience on the job that I personally had, Peter Obi, as a mentee, has an edge.
“Others like all of us have what they can collectively contribute to the new dispensation to liberation, restoration, and salvaging of Nigeria.
“One other important point to make about Peter is that he is a needle with thread attached to it from North and South and he may not get lost.
