By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has declared that it will not support any form of regionalism that groups its ethnic nationalities with the Hausa, Fulani, and Kanuri under the old “One North” structure, insisting on a distinct regional identity as Nigeria debates renewed calls for restructuring.
MBF President, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, made the position clear on Tuesday in Ankpa, Kogi State, while delivering a paper titled “Politics in the Middle Belt: The Way Forward” at the National Prayer Congress of the Kogi East Christian Elders Forum.
Dr. Pogu said the Middle Belt supports regionalism in principle but will reject any arrangement that attempts to revive the pre-independence Northern bloc. He noted that the region prefers the creation of Western Middle Belt and Eastern Middle Belt territories as recommended during the 2014 National Conference.
According to him, the conference proposal—endorsed under former President Goodluck Jonathan—was “dismissed with disdain” by the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari. He argued that the Middle Belt has historically suffered from political and territorial reclassification that favored dominant ethnic groups in the North.
He recalled that British colonial authorities redefined the political geography of the North in a way that entrenched Hausa, Fulani, and Kanuri control, leaving Middle Belt communities marginalized.
Dr. Pogu described Middle Belt minorities as “second-class citizens in their own ancestral lands,” adding that policies imposed by more powerful groups have deepened conflicts across the region. He warned that continued dominance by ethnic majorities could inflame further crises.
He also alleged that since 2014, communities in Taraba, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Niger, and Kogi States have faced violent attacks from armed groups often labeled as “herders.” He argued that these incidents have contributed significantly to growing agitation within the Middle Belt for greater autonomy.
Addressing the rise of ethnic and regional organizations such as Afenifere, Ohaneze Ndigbo, PANDEF, and ACF, Dr. Pogu said these formations emerged in response to Nigeria’s unresolved national question. He criticized the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), saying it was created to defend the interests of Hausa, Fulani, and Kanuri elites, while ignoring the distinct identity of the Middle Belt.
Dr. Pogu announced that the MBF will hold a major stakeholders’ conference from December 9–11 to harmonize its official stance on regionalism. Delegates from all 15 Middle Belt states are expected to attend and evaluate options for securing the region’s political future.
He expressed concern about the silence of what he described as the “Arewa political establishment,” warning that Nigeria should not assume that northern political actors have no planned agenda.
The MBF president urged Middle Belt citizens to unite behind a common position after the conference, noting that internal divisions since 2015 contributed to the region’s worsening insecurity.
