Jonathan Ipaa ANIPR MNUJ JP
Did the Middle Belt struggle die along with the late JS Tarka, Chief Solomon Lar, and Group Captain Dan-Suleiman?
Will the current massacre both economic and political persecutions of its offspring an indication that the struggle will be buried along with the remaining living patriarchs, our retired Generals?
Whichever answers you fetch cannot be far from the very obvious.
The fact is the belt is passing through the most difficult period as a people, yet pretending as if all is well.
Dozens are being mauled economically, politically, and religiously using our so-called leaders.
The hope alive which came at the beginning of this administration could be mistakenly hyped; maybe because one of us, Sen George Akume, former Benue State Governor was appointed the SGF.
Given Akume’s background in government, the Middle Belt shouldn’t expect much. Rather, he would be used by the northern hegemony to systematically inflict policy warfare against our people.
SGF Akume under the premise of party loyalty will frustrate constituted state authorities under the opposition.
Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba, and even his home State of Benue won’t be spared either.
This will happen while the killings by Fulani bandits will exacerbate.
We have shouted to the high heavens to create a voice for the Middle Belt struggle. We did this by risking political affiliations and what comes with it.
I took up the war directly at the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Idris Wase where our own, the heir apparent to the late Emancipator of the Middle Belt, Chief Solomon Lar, Hon Beni frustrated the move.
Little did she realise she could soon be a victim of a long-time orchestrated plot.
We wrote to several political leaders from the region and many shied away from even identifying with the struggle.
The likes of ex-Gov Samuel Ortom though fought lonely, left a footprint on the history of the struggle, he shied away from the vocal segment of the struggle. He declined to host the Middle Belt Journalists, an honour that could have boosted the morale of the field soldiers.
Ex-Gov Darius Ishaku stayed away from the struggle just like his former colleague from the Plateau, Chief Simon Lalong did and even conspicuously against his Plateau State.
Hon Rimam Shawulu(ex Rep from Takum/Donga/Ushafa of Taraba, Hon Yakubu from Kajuru/Chukun of Southern Kaduna, Sen Philip Tanimu Aduda of FCT, former ministers except Solomon Dalung, all shy away from our activities.
Today, the fire is burning in Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, etc. The locals hardly harvest the little surviving crops.
In others, the elected and appointed structures are crumbling while imposed ones are being erected.
Huge sums are being used to buy judgment that would ensure hired unpopular appointees are foisted on the Plateau, Nasarawa, and maybe Taraba.
All these are aimed at weakening the fast-waning foundation of the Middle Belt struggle.
I am pained that the few founding fathers of the Middle Belt like retired: Gen TY Danjuma, Gen Ejega, Gen Lekwot, Sen. David Mark, Prof Jerry Gana, Gen Lawrence Onoja, Sen Iorchia Ayu, Da Sen Jonah Jang, ex-Gov Joshua Chibi Dariye, Sir Gabriel Adoku, etc. are going to be living witnesses.
That the souls of the middle belt people will be buried alive by invading enemies while they keep mute!
Billions of naira are being allegedly used to procure Appeal Court judgments on the Plateau, Nasarawa, etc. while they maintain undignified silence.
If they didn’t have the energy and courage to speak out like the late JS Tarka, Solomon Lar, Group Capt. Dan-Suleiman, and Dr Obadiah Mailafia would have done it, the young Journalists have come together to do it.
They formed a mouthpiece yet; no one is willing to support them.
Who will take responsibility?
([email protected]/08068239232)is the President of the Middle Belt Journalists Forum, MBJF Abuja.
