Middle Belt won’t follow North
if Nigeria splits – Jerry Gana
Published July 3, 2017



Eniola Akinkuotu, Abuja


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 .

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