The Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Kaduna State Chapter, has kicked against what it described as “the shocking” exclusion of its members and areas in the recently constituted Governing Board of the North West Development Commission (NWDC).
The MBF noted that of all the appointments made into the critical and crucial Board, there is the total absence of members from the Middle Belt parts of the North West, stressing that the development is very disturbing and depressing, as it does not seem to acknowledge and respect the diversity and composition of the Northwest.
A statement by Luka Binniyat, Chairman, Middle Belt Forum, Kaduna State Chapter noted that it may mean that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu will continue the marginalization of the Middle Belt in the Northwest when it comes to the general welfare of our people, similar to his immediate predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Binniyat said that the Middle Belt of Nigeria is defined as all parts of the defunct Northern Nigeria that were not ruled or conquered by the Sokoto Caliphate and the Kanem Borno empire in pre-colonial Nigeria.
He explained that the North Central Zone is far smaller than the Middle Belt, which spans 13 states in the north and the FCT, adding that for clarity, Southern Kebbi and Southern Kaduna fall under the Middle Belt of Nigeria.
According to the MBF; “Southern Kaduna has a landmass of 26,000 sq. km with an estimated population of over 5 million, predominantly Christian. Southern Kaduna has 11 LGAs out of Kaduna state’s 23 LGAs, indicating that the Middle Belt’s part of Kaduna State has more land area than the Northern part.
“Kano state, with a landmass of only 20,000 sq. km, has been divided into 44 LGAs. In Kebbi state, about half of its 37,699 sq. km landmass in 12 of its 21 LGAs are in the Middle Belt. They include: Kalgo, Koko/Besse, Maiyama, Ngaski, Sakaba, Shanga, Suru, Wasagu/Danko, Yauri, and Zuru.
“Given their significant land size, population, and educated, skilled, and professionally advanced individuals, Southern Kebbi and Southern Kaduna should not be overlooked in appointments to such a weighty commission,” it stressed.
The MBF further said that the President’s appointments which it disputing include; Haruna Ginsau (Jigawa) – Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji (Kano) – Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Yahaya Namahe (Sokoto) – Member, Aminu Suleiman (Kebbi) – Member, Tijani Kaura (Zamfara) – Member, Abdulkadir Usman (Kaduna) – Member,
Muhammad Wudil (Kano) – Member, Shamsu Sule (Katsina) – Member, and Nasidi Ali (Jigawa) – Member.
The Forum questioned why Kano and Jigawa states have two members each, while Southern Kaduna and Southern Kebbi, with a large Christian population, have no representation, saying; “where is diversification and Federal Character represented here?”
The MBF said it is protesting the exclusion owing to the perennial marginalization of its people that will also continue even in staff recruitment and appointment on the commission’s workforce, stressing that this is unacceptable.
The statement further said; “Every member will prioritize their community’s interests, not that of Southern Kaduna and Southern Kebbi.
“Southern Kaduna and Southern Kebbi have suffered genocidal herdsmen destruction and kidnappings since 2014. Fair resource allocation to ravaged areas is unlikely without representation.
“If the Senate confirms the list and the President inaugurates the members, he should prepare for potential conflicts and crises of interest in the Northwest.
“The inclusion of our members on the board would boost President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s political standing, as our people are loyal to leadership that improves their well-being and acknowledges their significance,” it said.
It called on President Tinubu to note that while other Northwest areas protested violently against his government, the MBF restrained its members, suspecting ulterior motives behind the #EndBadGovernance protest.
It said that Southern Kebbi and Southern Kaduna were the only Northwest areas that did not join, not because they were happy with the government, but because they valued peace, adding that they would therefore want to be encouraged to sustain this positive attribute through inclusion into every program, project and development that is coming to the North West.
