A group, United Middle Belt Youth Initiative, has said it will only support a presidential candidate that has the interest of its people at heart in 2023.
They also said they would not allow themselves to be used as tools by those who think they are their slave masters.
This was disclosed by the group leader, Comrade Yakubu Sule, while briefing journalists in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Thursday.
“The 2023 general election is fast approaching, and they are coming with their usual songs of 19 northern states. However, the United Middle Belt Youth Initiative has resolved to support and stand with whoever has the interest of the middle belt at heart.
“We are no longer going to allow ourselves to be used as tools by those that think that they are our slave masters.
“Furthermore, the Council has it in mind as a matter of priority to lobby and fight for the development and growth of the region especially giving Abuja a state status.
“To also seek business investors both local and international, seek and consult our traditional, political, religious leaders and other stakeholders on creating and having an enabling environment that is devoid of any security threat, where there is religious tolerance, where anybody can do his/her business without any fear of molestation,” the group said.
“The middle belt is both a geopolitical entity or expression as well as a political entity, it’s a state of mind, middle belt exists in the heart of middle belt people. Middle belters are good people.
“The middle belter is one in the old north who does not allow religion to be a problem but a blessing.
“The middle belt area has an estimated population of about eighty million people, it’s the largest of any region with most fertile farm-land and highest endowment in terms of mineral and natural resources,” the group added.
The middle belters are found in the North-Central, North-Eastern, and North-Western States.
