Middle Belt Will Withdraw Support From North Ahead Of 2019 Elections’- Forum

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.