In a recent report by the The Sun, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, the President of the Middle Belt Forum, responded to a proposed map of an Arewa Republic that included the Middle Belt region. He strongly rejected the idea, stating that the Middle Belt will never join any such republic.
Dr. Pogu emphasized that the Middle Belt is committed to Nigeria and has always supported the country. He argued that the region has invested a lot of effort into building Nigeria and remains dedicated to continuing this work. According to him, the Middle Belt is not interested in separating or joining any new political entity, no matter what others might be planning. He expressed disappointment that those who have dominated the Nigerian political landscape are now proposing to break away. Dr. Pogu made it clear that the Middle Belt will not be part of these plans and will continue to work towards a unified and strong Nigeria.
In his words: “That (Map of Arewa Republic) is a joke. We will never be part of what they are planning. We are Nigerians and we have always stood for Nigeria and we will continue to stand for Nigeria. We belong to this country and through sweat we will build the kind of country that would be beneficial to us.
“So, we are not part of whatever they have planned and are planning. Who among them did what they did? It is up to them, and we are not part of it and would not be part of it. It is unfortunate that the people who have been dominating the political space are now the ones saying that they want to go”