According to the report from the Daily Post, the President of Middle Belt Forum, Dr. Pogu Bitrus addressed the call for secession by some groups in the country’s northern region.
Bitrus clarified that the Middle Belt does not identify with the secessionist movement and considers itself an integral part of Nigeria.
Acknowledging the historical context of the region’s formation, he pointed out that the Middle Belt’s connection to the North was primarily a result of the British colonial policy of Indirect Rule.
Bitrus emphasized that the Middle Belt remains committed to the Nigerian nation and is willing to work with other like-minded groups to build a united and prosperous country.
According to Pogu Bitrus, “We have looked at the situation but our position as people of the Middle Belt is that we are not part of the north that is advocating to break off. We are saying that as far as we are concerned, we are Nigerians and we will stay where we are. If they want to go, they are free to go. We are together because of the Indirect Rule.
But for the Indirect Rule, we would have been different entities. There is a map of 1910, which indicated areas that were neither occupied by the caliphate nor the sultanate of Borno; and they constitute the Middle Belt. So, we are saying that if they want to go, it is their business but we are Nigerians and we will stay here with other people who believe in this country.”….Vìêw–Morê