We remain in northern Nigeria -North Central Peoples’ Forum

The North Central Peoples’ Forum (NCPF) on Tuesday insisted that states in the geopolitical zone remain part of northern Nigeria.

National Publicity Secretary of the Forum, Alhaji Audu Sule, who briefed newsmen in Makurdi, said that the north-central citizens believe in the coexistence of the country and would never separate to its own way.

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Sule noted that he was reacting to comments allegedly credited to another group known as Middle Belt Forum who are threatening to pull out of northern Nigeria.

“We (NCPF) like to categorically say that we cannot go our separate ways off the northern region. We belong to the northern region and we believe in the unity and coexistence of this country,” he said.

The NCPF spokesman explained that the Forum cannot afford to throw away the sacrifices made by the heroes of the country’s civil war in their bid to keep Nigeria united, stressing that they would use the opportunity to lobby for the development of the zone rather than breakaway.

He maintained that the north-central region would be able to make meaningful contributions to the development of the zone if they don’t stay out of the system, noting that the area remains recognised by the Federal Government politically and administratively.

“No specific demarcation”

He however contended that Middle Belt Forum has no specific demarcation, boundaries or political entity to derive infrastructural benefits as the body consisted of ethnic minorities in the entire country, citing instances with the agitations for a North Central Development Commission.

“So how can we now go on our separate ways? Which map are you going to draw? So NCPF is saying we are not going our separate ways; we are one-north as we had it before simply because it was the sacrifice made to unite this country during the civil war.

“We will remain and fight for our rights. The people of Kogi, Niger, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kwara, Benue and FCT remains fully north-central zone.

“We are part of the north, we believe in the unity of Nigeria and will never support anything that will separate or bring crisis to this country,” Sule concluded.