The Coalition of Indigenous Middle Belt Ethnic Organisations (CIMBO) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to recognize the Middle-Belt region’s distinct identity and address its long-standing grievances. According to CIMBO’s chairman, Timothy B. Gandu, the Middle-Belt is not just a geographic label but a culturally and historically unique region.
The Middle-Belt has faced political marginalization and domination since Nigeria’s independence. A 1958 report from the British government’s Minorities Commission recommended autonomy for the Middle-Belt, but this was denied due to an alliance between the Northern People’s Congress and the British government.
CIMBO’s current demands include the activation of the 2014 National Conference report, which recommended creating eight new states in the Middle-Belt. They also seek formal recognition of the Middle-Belt as a distinct region, greater political representation, and a new constitution drafted through a referendum to ensure that all Nigerians, including the Middle-Belt, have a voice in governance.