BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has described as laughable, trash, nonsense in its entirety and unacceptable, the call by some disgruntled elements from the North to block food supply to the Southern parts of the country.
Accordingly, the Forum disassociated their members made up of all ethnic nationalities within the Middle Belt region comprising of youths, farmers, traders artisans etc from Benue, Kogi, Taraba, Plateau, Nassarawa, Adamawa, Southern Borno, Southern Kaduna, Southern Bauchi, Southern Yobe, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, and FCT Abuja from such dangerous and divisive moves.
The Forum in a statement by John Haruna, Secretary of Middle Belt Forum Kaduna State chapter said that the Middle Belt region of Nigeria shall continue to transact, do trade with and supply abundant food items to their Southern brothers who are so dear to the Middle Belt people.
The statement further said that no amount of blackmail shall force its members to part away from Yoruba, Ibos, Ijaw, Binis, Ibibios and other.
In the words of the Forum; “Let it be known to this group that the era of divide and rule by the so called core north is over, completely buried and gone for good. Such cannot be tolerated any longer. We no longer accept deceit and lies from anybody”.
The Forum unequivocally advised those who are championing and supporting the call for food blockade to rethink and desist from further making such an empty treat that will not augur well for them and their sponsors.
In this wise, the Forum warned that it will not accommodate or tolerate such reckless statement from any quarter and asked this group to stare clear of Middle Belt geographical territories.
The Forum added; “Middle Belt is not part of the north and Middle Belt region is capable and can feed the entire Nigeria including the so called core north. “In fact, Benue and Kogi states alone can feed the entire Nigeria 24 Calendar months. Their dubious intention will be met with stiff resistance. How on earth do you cut supply of what you don’t have or what you don’t produce?”
The Forum therefore warned the so called Northerners involved in the blockade to be careful so as not to jeopardise the already existing good, harmonious working relationship with their Southern brothers.
It also said; “We will not live any stone unturned to make sure we continue to maintain the existing good and cordial relationship with our Southern brothers”.
The Forum equally called on all Middle Belt Southern brothers and sisters to remain calm and ignore all the noise and rumours been peddled or making the round and remain focused as they pursue their legitimate businesses.
