MBF Flays Exclusion From Northwest Development Commission

NEWSDAILYNIGERIAThe Middle Belt Forum has Faulted the Non-inclusion of Its Members in Northwest Development Commission recently constituted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Forum frowned at the lopsided composition of the commission, describing the perennial marginalization unacceptable, while calling on the President to do the needful to carry others along for the needed peace, justice and development of the area among other things.

A statement issued by the Chairman MBF, Kaduna, Mr Luja Binniyat, disclosed this on Sunday in Kaduna.

” The Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Kaduna State Chapter, wishes to point out the shocking exclusion of its members and areas in the recently constituted Governing Board of the North West Development Commission (NWDC). Of all the appointments made into this very critical and crucial Board, the total absence of any member from the Middle Belt parts of the North West is very disturbing and depressing, as it does not seem to acknowledge and respect the diversity and composition of the Northwest.
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, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd).

” 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. The North Central Zone is far smaller than the Middle Belt, which spans 13 states in the north and the FCT.
For clarity, Southern Kebbi and Southern Kaduna fall under the Middle Belt of Nigeria.
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.

” The President’s appointments which we are disputing are as follows:

• 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
• Nasidi Ali (Jigawa) – Member

How can Kano and Jigawa states have two members each, while Southern Kaduna and Southern Kebbi, with a large Christian population, have no representation? Where is diversification and Federal Character represented here?

We protest this exclusion for the following reasons:
Our perennial marginalization will continue even in staff recruitment and appointment on the commission’s workforce. This is unacceptable.

• 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.

In conclusion, President Ahmed Bola Ahmed Tinubu should note that while other Northwest areas protested violently against his government, the MBF restrained its members, suspecting ulterior motives behind the #EndBadGovernance protest. Southern Kebbi and Southern Kaduna were the only Northwest areas that did not join, not because they were happy with the government, but because we valued peace.
We will therefore want to be encouraged to sustain this positive attribute through inclusion into every program, project and development that’s coming to the North West.” the statement added.