Middle Belt Coalition Demands Restructuring Before 2027

The Coalition of Indigenous Middle Belt Organisations is rallying stakeholders to advocate for the inclusion of Middle Belt indigenous ethnic groups as equal partners within the Nigerian federation.

Chairman Mr. Timothy Gandu made this announcement in Abuja on Wednesday, revealing that the organization’s National Delegates Conference is set for August 9-10, 2024, in Kaduna.

“Our aim is to achieve our goals through peaceful, yet persistent efforts,” Gandu stated. “We will engage with other indigenous ethnic groups to push for Nigeria’s restructuring before 2027.”

The conference, themed “Restructuring and Enactment of the Peoples Constitution: A Path to Peace and National Growth,” will focus on solidifying their demands for inclusion.

Established in 2023 in response to a call from the Coalition of Indigenous Ethnic Nationalities in Nigeria, CIMBO seeks to address the underrepresentation of minorities in Nigeria’s constitution, as highlighted by the United Nations’ declarations on minority and indigenous rights.

“The Middle Belt, with over 400 ethnic groups and a population of over 44 million as of 2016, has not been adequately recognized in the current constitution,” Gandu said.

He noted that the 2014 National Conference Report recommended creating additional states and eight geopolitical zones, including three for the Middle Belt: East, Central, and West. The failure to implement these recommendations, coupled with policies detrimental to the Middle Belt, has prompted this call for a unified stand.

The conference will bring together over 100 delegates representing the Middle Belt’s diverse ethnic groups to address key issues such as maintaining ethnic identity, controlling land and resources, and ensuring equitable participation in the Nigerian federation.

“We aim to support and strengthen the efforts of Middle Belt organizations like the Middle Belt Forum and Kwararafa People’s Assembly,” Gandu added.