The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has applauded and welcomed the proposal for the creation of 31 new states by the House of Representatives.
The National President of the Middle Belt Forum, MBF, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, endorsed the proposal for additional states, describing it as a welcome development.
This comes after the Arewa Consultative Forum and the Yoruba Socio-Cultural group, Afenifere, openly rejected the proposal for the creation of more states.
Chronicle NG reports that the House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee proposed the creation of 31 additional states in addition to the country’s 36 existing states.
The proposal was contained in a letter to the House of Representatives read during Thursday’s plenary by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session in the absence of the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.
Speaking in Jos on Thursday, Pogu described the proposal as a welcome development that addresses the country’s long-standing issues of equity and governance.
As a proponent of the Savannah state, Pogu emphasised that the MBF supports the proposal, citing the need for a more inclusive and representative system of government.
“The challenge of Nigeria requires a lot of tinkering to get it right. There has been no equity in the whole process of governing Nigeria,” he said.
Pogu highlighted the example of Southern Borno, which has never produced a governor, with the position always being held by either Northern or Central Borno.
He argued that the proposed creation of new states would help address the plurality of Nigeria and promote a more equitable distribution of power and resources.
The MBF has long advocated for greater autonomy and representation for the region’s diverse ethnic groups.
The forum sees the proposed creation of new states as a significant step towards addressing the historical injustices and imbalances in the country’s governance structure.
