Middle
Belt won’t follow North if Nigeria splits – Jerry Gana
A former Minister of Information and current National President
of the Middle Belt Forum, Prof. Jerry Gana, has told northerners preaching
division that if Nigeria breaks, the minorities in the Middle Belt will not
follow them.
Gana said this while delivering a sermon at the St. Matthew’s
Church, Maitama, Diocese of Abuja (Anglican Communion), in Abuja on Sunday.
The Middle Belt is believed to have the largest number of
ethnic groups in Nigeria.
The former minister, who was the guest preacher, therefore,
lambasted the Coalition of Arewa Youth Groups for issuing a quit notice to Igbo
living in the North.
Gana said, “They think when it comes to break-up, we will go
along with the North. We have already told them that if they allow this country
to break up, we are not going with the North. We are staying where we are. So,
just take notice. If it comes to that, we will tell you that you are Arewa and we are
‘Middle-Belters.’
“We love Nigeria and it was changed to a federal system
because of the minorities so that we can have a place. So, we love Nigeria but
in the unlikely event that people want to go their way, the Arewa in the Sahel
will go. But we will remain here in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The former minister also slammed a former Vice-Chancellor of
the Ahmadu Bello University and the spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum,
Prof. Ango Abdullahi, for supporting the quit notice issued by the northern
youths.
Gana said nobody had the right to dictate to a citizen of
Nigeria where he could live.
He added, “One of them, who also spoke is a former
vice-chancellor. I thank God he didn’t sign my certificate. My own was signed
by Prof. Ishaya Audu. How can a man of that stature, of that status, of that
level of leadership, says he supports the youths in Kaduna to give to other
legitimate citizens, an order to go? Who are you? Who says that?
“In this country, there are no second-class citizens. We are
all first class. We are all sons and daughters of this land and that was why I
decided to call a conference of all the minorities from 14 states and we had to
state in clear words that the quit notice was totally unconstitutional. This is
our home.”
Gana said the way forward was for the Federal Government to
embrace restructuring as the solution to the nation’s challenges or the nation
would die.
Gana, who said even former presidents were beginning to
support restructuring, advised the All Progressives Congress-led Federal
Government to entertain dialogue and debate.
The ex-minister said, “In democracy, dialogue is the
language, consultation is the way. Two cannot work together unless they agree.
So, there needs to be dialogue and mutual respect.
“Anywhere you have diversity of ethnicity or religion in the
world, the type of system that works is federalism. And that is the way. And
each one must build his federal system the way it suits him. It cannot be
imposed; it cannot be engineered in favour of one person.”
Meanwhile, a former military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu
Gowon, has urged Nigerians to shun all forms of violence, criminal acts and
behaviour capable of dividing the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported
that Gowon made the call on Sunday in Sokoto at a one-day National Prayer Rally
organised by Nigeria Prays.
“We should value the lives of our fellow human beings that
God has created for a purpose. May we never take lives with impunity.
“We are offering fervent prayers that Nigerians will never
raise their hands against one another.
“They should love one another irrespective of religious,
ideological, political and ethnic affinities,” he added.
Gowon, the National Convener, Nigeria Prays, appealed to
Nigerians to collectively pray for the speedy recovery of President Muhammadu
Buhari.
He also urged Nigerians to pray for the Acting President Yemi
Osinbajo and leaders at all levels.
He solicited for sustained prayers for peace, unity and
socio-economic prosperity of Nigeria.
Gowon said, “Prayer can solve problems better and faster than
soldiers, as well as physical weapons of war.
“I have no doubt in my heart that God will honour our
collective prayer and intercession for our dear nation, as well as heal our
nation of insecurity.
“May we experience abundance of God’s mercy and showers of
blessings over our lives and our nation as we raise our voices in heartfelt
prayers today in Sokoto, ‘’ he said.
The North-West Zonal Coordinator of Nigeria Prays, Bishop
Godwin Okafor, said the rally was organised to pray for sustained peace, unity
and stability of Nigeria.
