Leaders of the Middle Belt and
other Northern minorities, on Thursday urged 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.
The meeting was presided over by
former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana and had in attendance: 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.
One of the resolutions reached in
line with the recommendations of the 2014 confab, was that a structure of 12
regions as federating units with 54 states, would be better for the country.
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.Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
“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.”
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You people I should explain how did you smoggled Adamawa state and Taraba state and joined them to become middle belt states???? . Structuring that you are talking about is too late and very late, the marriage has came to an end we are going to divorce each other. For your bring back your girls you supposed to write it to Jonathan, it's their lapses. For the confab you could have remained the person who organised it, he was with the report for many months before he vacated the power.
ReplyDeleteHow I wish what you wrote was even accurate, it won't have pained me that I wasted time to read it. Let me come and be going.
DeleteIt's a welcome development
DeleteLook at this two irresponsible comments.They have made good points and that shall stand.
ReplyDeleteSouthern Borno should be included plz, bcoz being in Borno state has not benefited us at all especially the Christian majority of the region. We are Neva given the seat of a Deputy Governor, SSG, only one or two slots for commissioner out of almost 30. We hardly get employed in the state Civil service, even Federal quota they muscle us out it's jst too much.... It's tym for actual CHANGE!!!!!
ReplyDelete