As separatist feelings and agitation
continue by different groups across Nigeria calling attention to the
Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB)
and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Republic of Oduduwa
in the West, the Middle Belt in north central Nigeria is also asking for
secession from Nigeria citing reasons why it should be allowed to
secede.
This was contained in a piece written by
Awunah Pius Terwase saying the centre can no longer hold and it has,
therefore , becoming increasingly necessary to fall apart.
In the piece below titled ''We want
Middle Belt republic'' he pointed out Nigeria was forcefully wielded
together when it is obvious that the various ethnic nationalities can
not co-exist.
The incessant killings by Fulani herdsmen, he said, is another cause for concern.
According to him, ''We have observed
that the nonstop conflicts of different types in various parts of the
country between two or more parties have come to stay because we have
been forced to live together as one even when it is obvious that we
don’t want to be one.''
Read the full article below:
''It is time to let the Nigerian
government and the world know about the “Republic of the Middle Belt”.
The citizens of the Middle Belt have watched with keen interest over the
years, the policies, actions and decisions taken so far by different
administrations upon issues ranging from ethnicity to religion, politics
to economics and many more, and have therefore decided not to keep
quiet any longer but begin to peacefully agitate for independence and
sovereignty of the area as a nation.
We have observed that the nonstop
conflicts of different types in various parts of the country between two
or more parties have come to stay because we have been forced to live
together as one even when it is obvious that we don’t want to be one.
It is true that Boko Haram terrorists
have killed and are still killing innocent people in the country and
destroying properties worth billions of naira if not trillions. It is
also true that Fulani herdsmen have killed and are still killing the
people and taking over their farmland in order to feed their cattle as
these animals seem to be more valuable than the people. It is very true
that militants in Niger Delta have bombed and destroyed oil pipelines,
caused a great reduction in the production of crude oil and are still
doing more because their place is still underdeveloped while the money
realized from the sales of crude oil has been used to develop other
places.
Therefore, all the above listed
conflicts and more can be resolved amicably if the right thing is done.
The Nigerian government and the world should know that we cannot
continue being together forever and there is need for any group that
thinks it can stand on its own and survive to begin to prepare and
agitate for her independence. At this point, I wish to appeal that the
Nigerian government should peacefully approve the independence of Biafra
and any other group that has the capacity and wish to be detached from
Nigeria in order to allow peace, unity and progress to reign.
Notwithstanding, we cannot continue to
live together with the people who value their cattle more than us, we
cannot stay together with the people who are always killing us in the
name of their religion, we will not go on living together with the
people who want us to practice their religion against our will or wish,
we are tired of living together with the people who have taken
leadership to be their birthright, we will no longer stay together with
the people who talk peace with the mouth but do the opposite in their
action. Enough is enough.
Nevertheless, “Middle Belt Citizens” can
neither go with Biafra nor remain with Nigeria. Therefore, there is
need to let the Nigerian government and the world know that the “Middle
Belt” is equal to the task and wish to be independent and be known as
“Federal Republic of Middle Belt”.
This is a welcome idea that should not
be ignored. We want a country of our own, we want our independence and
we want the Federal Republic of Middle Belt. This is a very peaceful
agitation that should not give room for any arrests.''
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