Middle Belt Forum Insists on Restructuring, Warns against Marginalisation

John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has reiterated its call for the restructuring of Nigeria, warning that the current system has led to the marginalisation of minority groups.

MBF’s National President, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, who was represented by its National Organising Secretary, Emmanuel Alamu, made this known while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of a two-day symposium on restructuring held at the Trophy Hotel in Kaduna yesterday.

The symposium, which The Rebirth Group organised, brought together participants from various ethnic communities in Nigeria, including the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, and the Middle Belt Forum.

Pogu noted that the Middle Belt region has historically been marginalised and excluded from key decision-making processes.

“When this country was created, some of us in the northern part of Nigeria were referred to as minority, and we actually preferred to call ourselves ethnic nationality.

“We have not been carried along. There was no time anything was going to happen, and we sat on the negotiating table,” he said.

Pogu emphasised that the Middle Belt region does not support the disintegration of Nigeria but rather believes in the oneness of the country.

However, he stressed that if Nigeria is to remain united, it must be restructured to address the underlying issues that have led to marginalisation and inequality.

According to Pogu, the Middle Belt region has been treated as secondary to other regions in the north, with some individuals being considered “more north” than others.  He argued that this kind of mentality has led to the exclusion of the Middle Belt region from key decision-making processes and has hindered its development.

In his remarks, the convener of the symposium, Owolabi Oladejo, explained the objectives of The Rebirth Group, which include promoting a restructured Nigeria where every group or ethnic nationality would have a sense of belonging.

The symposium on restructuring, which was held under the theme “Envisioning Nigeria’s Future: Addressing the National Question,” brought together experts and stakeholders from across the country to discuss the possibility of restructuring Nigeria.

According to the communiqué issued at the end of the symposium, participants resolved that the current structure of Nigeria is responsible for the country’s problems and that restructuring is the way forward.

“The way Nigeria is presently structured and is being run is largely responsible for why the country is not working in the interest of Nigerians,” the communiqué stated.

Participants recommended that Nigeria should be reorganised into regions, with each region having more powers over its affairs. The central government, according to the recommendation, should concern itself only with issues that the federating units cannot handle.

The symposium also recommended a parliamentary system of government, citing the avoidable expenses incurred under the current presidential system.

Other speakers at the symposium included Dr. P. S. Zira, who spoke on “Restructuring: Pathways to True Federalism”; Lady Jennifer Nakpodia, who spoke on “Economic Restructuring for Sustainable Development”; and Hon. Yusuf Idris Amoke, who spoke on “Unity in Diversity: Building a Cohesive Nigerian Identity”.

The symposium also featured contributions from participants in the diaspora, who joined the discussion via Zoom.

The communique was signed by Olaolu Abogunloko, Diy Nweze, and Jare Ajayi (Chairman).