The Chairman
of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Bala Takaya, has vowed that the people of
North-central zone would not work with other parts of Northern Nigeria in
next
years general elections.
He said this
is to ensure that the zone is recognised as an important region in the country.
Mr. Takaya
stated this on Wednesday in Jos at a one-day summit tagged: “Political and
Security Situation of Middle Belt: The need for roadmap.”
He said the
recent handshake across the Niger by leaders of the South-south, South-east and
South-west was a build-up to 2019 and reaction to insecurity in Nigeria,
especially, in the North-central.
“The
handshake across the Niger especially with South/South, South/East and
South/West is to address salient issues affecting the zones. We are not
standing aloof, we are working together in the struggle for equitable Nigeria
through restructuring.
“Leaders
from these regions of the country were received by the leadership of the Middle
Belt in Benue State in solidarity with the people and government of Benue State
over the recent killings. We have solid relationship and we are in support of
what the Benue State governor is doing. He should not waver, attack on one is
an attack on all.”
Mr. Takaya
called on the youth of the geo-political zone to be more proactive and defend
their God-given lands.
He said the
zone is presently vulnerable to attacks by herdsmen because the youth are not
united, adding there is the need for synergy among them to arrest the frequent
attacks.
“Middle Belt
youths must work together to overcome these challenges. The zone now is under
the carpet. In some states, you have to be their surrogates to win elections in
spite of your strength and population. If you win, it can be upturned but I
believe all these can stop if our youths are united for common front.”
The National
Leader of the Middle Belt Youth Forum, Emma Zopmal, condemned the recent spate
of killings in the region and the “silence” of the federal government.
Mr. Zopmal
urged the youth to protect themselves and their lands since the government had
allegedly failed to protect them.
The keynote
speaker at the conference and a former governorship aspirant in Kwara State,
John Dara, also called for the unity of the zone and support for all its
elected public office holders.
Mr. Dara
said the youth should form a Middle Belt Frontier Force to defend their region
from attacks from outside.
He said the
youth should not wait till they are appointed to positions of authority but
rise up and play their part and stop lamentation.
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