• Want govt to implement 2014 confab report
• Say current arrangement unbalanced, unfair

Leaders of the Middle Belt and other northern minorities met in Abuja yesterday and asked the Federal Government to immediately begin the implementation of the 2014 national conference report to address the agitations for the restructuring of the country.

The meeting, which was convened under the aegis of Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum was attended by other leaders from Adamawa, Taraba, Southern Kaduna and the six states in the North Central zone.

They specifically canvassed a middle belt region made up of the current six states in the North Central zone, as well as Southern Kebbi, Southern Kaduna, Southern Borno and parts of Adamawa, Taraba and Gombe states.


In attendance at the meeting presided over by former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana, were former Deputy Senate Leader, Jonathan Zwingina from Adamawa; Air Commodore Dan Suleiman (rtd) also from Adamawa; former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman, Ahmadu Ali from Kogi State; and former Senate President, Iyiorchia Ayu, from Benue State.
The meeting condemned what it called the “murderous activities of Fulani herdsmen” and called on the presidency to quickly take serious measures to curb the menace.
The Middle Belt leaders who met for over six hours agreed on how the much-canvassed restructuring could be achieved.

They noted that the existing structure of the Nigerian federation has become a problem, and suggested that the country could best be more successful by introducing a regional government.

The meeting resolved that in line with the recommendations of the 2014 confab, a structure of 12 regions as federating units with 54 states as basic centres of development would be better for the country.

The leaders also suggested a three-tier federating structure which would retain a president to preside over the affairs of the federation by heading the Federal Government, while each of the 12 regions should have a governor-general, and the states should continue to have elected governors. “Local governments should be the responsibility of state governments to ensure effective grassroots development,” they stated.

A statement issued at the end of the meeting and signed by the Secretary of the Middle Belt Forum, John Dara, reads: “In a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious country like Nigeria, the federal system makes enormous sense, because it allows the federating units to fully look after their local affairs and to develop at their own pace. Therefore, we hereby renew our loyalty, love and strong support for a united Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We appeal to all separatist agitators to allow the restructuring initiative to run its full course. We need to stay and work together to ensure that new leadership that can make Nigeria great emerges in the next elections.

“We condemn the murderous activities of Fulani herdsmen in the Middle Belt and other parts of Nigeria. We call on the Federal Government to step up security measures to curb this menace.“Similarly, we call on the Federal Government and Borno State government to bring back our Chibok girls and resettle our people of Southern Borno and other internally displaced people in their ancestral lands and homes.

“However, we are resolutely of the view that the current federal structure is unbalanced, unfair, over-centralised and therefore unstable. Accordingly, we firmly support the demand to re-structure the federation, together with appropriate devolution of powers to the federating units, and a commensurate revenue allocation formula.

“Since these fundamental matters were considered and resolved at the 2014 National Conference, we urge the Federal Government to take appropriate and urgent steps to ensure the full implementation of the resolutions and recommendations contained in the confab report.
“We believe that a faithful and effective implementation of those recommendations will promote peace, harmony and greater security, thereby giving Nigeria a new lease of life.

“We denounce recent calls and threats to Nigerians from the South-East living in the northern states to move back to their areas of origin. Being free, equal and legitimate citizens of Nigeria, such calls are totally unconstitutional and unacceptable. We urge the federal and state governments to take effective steps to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians, wherever they may choose to reside.”The Senate had last week passed a resolution asking the presidency to submit the 2014 confab report to the National Assembly for appropriate legislative work.

fiizznation:
[i]Whenever I see a thing like middlebelt, the first thing that usually comes into my mind is "who are these middlebeltans"? The north central comprises of states like kwara, Niger, kogi, benue and plateau states. Even southern kaduna can't be classified as a north central territory due to its geographical location.

The people that are championing this middlebelt nonsense are some very few people in plateau state. Jerry gana is from Niger state, pray tell me, how will he convince his people to be part of one silly thing called middlebelt? He is not a major player in the NC.

When people want to really talk about NC or middlebelt as some people want to call it, then names like IBB, abdulsalam, Jeremiah hussein, gowon, saraki, etc CAN'T be overlooked. These are the decision makers of the region. And I don't see them calling themselves middlebeltans.[/i|

myright:
how many ethnic groups do we have in the north?

fiizznation:
There are many ethnic groups, but at the end of the day, ethnic groups doesn't matter because most of these ethnic groups see themselves as northerners first. Go figure.

myright:
so the many ethnic groups in the east don't see themselves as easterners?

fiizznation:
First you have to redefined what you mean by east/easterners because I only know of southeast. Unless you meant to tell me that people in the SOUTH have every right to call themselves SOUTHERNERS.

myright:
you are trying to be mischievous. When I asked the first question, did I mention north east? I said north and you said everybody in the north are northerners. Which means everybody in the east are easterners? Is that correct?

Iamwrath:
Restructuring ...... And the Northerlands have played a high hand already , what will FlatPobs do now ?

Terkimbi01:
Great move, but we need something more drastic.
we should state clearly that if restructuring is not allowed, we should be left alone to handle our affairs.

I like the South South and the South East, they are bold.

Two men I admire are Nnamdi Kanu and late Gideon Orkar.

maxiquadrian:
lemme face my business. i be afonja e no kuku reach my fada's land.

deedeedee1:
This old men dont know what they are saying. Regionalism will change nothing. It will only make us hate each other more. If you doubt me, use the first republic as an example. I am certain that if awolowo was alive today, he wont be in support. We dont like each other, so why not just split the country?
Let the country split once and for all

fiizznation:
Yes anybody in the southeast can be called an easterner. But the man from SW or SS can't be labeled an easterner