Middle Belt Christian Youths Reject Tinubu Endorsement, Accuse Delegation of Pursuing Selfish Interests

By Ladan Muhammad

The Christian Youths of the North Central and Middle Belt Zones (CYNCMB) have rejected the purported endorsement of President Bola Tinubu by a group of individuals claiming to represent Middle Belt elders, describing the move as selfish, misleading and unrepresentative of the region.

The group, through its leader, Ishiaku John Gyang, insisted that the delegation’s visit to the President did not reflect the collective position of the Middle Belt, alleging that no regional consultation or meeting was held to obtain such a mandate.

Gyang maintained that those involved acted in their personal capacities and lacked the authority to commit the region politically.

“If there is any region that has suffered immensely under the Tinubu administration, it is the Middle Belt, where thousands of innocent lives have been lost. At no point did our people collectively resolve to endorse President Tinubu,” he said.

Questioning the rationale behind the endorsement, the youth leader cited worsening insecurity, economic hardship, poor infrastructure and what he described as inadequate government attention to the region.

He lamented the persistent killings and displacement of residents in Benue, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi and Niger states, accusing the delegation of prioritising political appointments over the safety and welfare of ordinary citizens.

“While our people are being killed daily, these leaders are negotiating for positions. Our region is not for sale. They did not visit the President to demand protection for our people or an end to the killings,” Gyang declared.

He also accused the delegation of using religion to advance political interests, warning against attempts to create divisions between Christians and Muslims in the region.

Gyang questioned the composition of the delegation, arguing that some prominent figures associated with the visit were not from the Middle Belt.

He specifically mentioned former House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, former Chief of Army Staff General T.Y. Danjuma and General Christopher Musa, among others.

The youth leader expressed particular disappointment with Dogara, arguing that his emergence as Speaker was made possible through support beyond religious considerations.

According to him, the Middle Belt has historically maintained relationships across religious divides and would resist any attempt to exploit religious differences for political advantage.

Gyang further warned President Tinubu against interpreting the endorsement as evidence of widespread support across the region.

“Hunger, insecurity, displacement and years of neglect cannot be covered up with a visit to Aso Rock. The Middle Belt is bleeding. Our villages are empty, our farms are abandoned, and our people are languishing in IDP camps,” he said.

He declared that the group would not support the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that the region deserved security, justice, development and responsible leadership.

Gyang stressed that the political future of the Middle Belt would be determined by its people through the ballot box, not by individuals claiming to speak on their behalf.

The group consequently urged Nigerians to disregard the purported endorsement, insisting that it should not be presented as the collective position of the Middle Belt or its Christian population.
Editorial note: The story is written in a neutral news-reporting style while retaining the group’s allegations and political position as attributed statements. Before publication, independently verify the identities and geographical affiliations of the individuals mentioned.