Use 2014 National Conference to restructure Nigeria, Middle Belt Coalition tells Tinubu

The Coalition of Indigenous Middle Belt Organizations (CIMBO) has demanded for the restructuring of Nigeria in line with the recommendation of the 2014 National Conference.

The coalition made the demand in a communique signed by Timothy Barau Gandu, its Chairman and Prof. E.O. Ejeikwu, the Secretary at the end of a conference held in Kaduna from August 30-31, 2024.

The conference was attended by delegates representing over 400 indigenous ethnic nationalities, and drew participants from Bauchi, Benue, Gombe, Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and Taraba States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The Middle Belf Forum (MBF) was officially represented at the conference indicating a tacit support to the CIMBO.

The group noted that the country requires “restructuring and hence delegates agreed to support the restructuring of the country to ensure self-determination and promote national unity.”

Participants lamented that the Middlebelt has since independence been seen as part of Northern Nigeria with the split of many ethnic nationalities into states, as minorities.

“This has weakened the ability of such ethnic nationalities in achieving political representation and economic empowerment and development,” the communique read.

“Consequently, this has created inferiority complex, a feeling of second-class status and peasantization of the people as a result of laws and statues that tend to limit and imprison the capacity of citizens of such ethnic nationalities from achieving set goals and aspirations.”

The coalition also said the constitution should be “re-written to ensure proper political and administrative restructuring to guarantee justice, equity and control over land and natural resources.”

The group argued that the 2014 National Conference Report should be the basis for the restructuring of Nigeria.

“The restructuring of the various security systems is required to ensure creation of state and local police to enhance security of lives and properties,” it said.

It also called for the review of the status of the FCT in line with the 2014 National Conference.

It also resolved that “CIMBO should be an arm of the Middle Belf Forum and operate as the parliament of the MBF.”

“That continuous and sustained advocacy against discrimination on the basis of religion and ethnicity is required,” it added.