Democracy

Our elders have spoken, we have listened, and the Middle Belt is ready for action! I vividly recall when our respected Middle Belt elders reached out to me in Dubai ahead of the 2023 general election, asking me to mobilise our people in support of His Excellency, Peter Obi. They considered my experience in comradeship, activism, advocacy and mobilisation, and believed I had what it would take to rally our people behind the movement. Without hesitation, I abandoned everything and committed myself wholeheartedly to the assignment. We set targets, mobilised our people across the Middle Belt and worked tirelessly for the Labour Party. The result was a massive show of support for Peter Obi in the region. Today, history has presented us with another defining moment. Despite the overwhelming support the Middle Belt gave Peter Obi and the opposition in 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not turn his back on our region. He did not write off our people or ignore the Middle Belt. Instead, he recognised the region, created opportunities and demonstrated that the Middle Belt remains an important part of Nigeria’s political and national development. The recent meeting between President Tinubu and prominent Middle Belt leaders, including General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, is another significant moment in our political journey. It demonstrates the importance of dialogue, engagement and collective leadership in determining the future of our region. I have also had the privilege of joining other youth leaders from the Middle Belt in meeting with Seyi Tinubu. This engagement further reinforces the importance of building bridges between generations, strengthening relationships and ensuring that the voices, aspirations and concerns of our young people are heard at the highest levels. When elders of this standing speak and take the lead, the younger generation must listen, reflect and act. That gesture and leadership must not be taken for granted. Our elders have spoken again, and this time, we must listen with the same commitment, courage and determination with which we answered their call in 2023. This is bigger than personal interests, political sentiments or individual ambitions. It is about respect for our elders, the collective interest of our people and the future we want to build for generations yet unborn. Let this also serve as a clear message to anyone who thinks the Middle Belt can be taken for granted or politically undermined. Our people are politically conscious, organised and capable of making their voices heard. When our elders speak with one voice, we must stand together. However, I have a special appeal to all beneficiaries of Asiwaju’s benevolence, appointments, empowerment programmes and political opportunities. You must ensure that the ordinary people of the Middle Belt feel the positive impact of this government. The benefits of government must not end in Abuja, political offices, boardrooms or among a privileged few. They must reach our villages, rural communities, unemployed youths, struggling families, market women and other vulnerable members of our society. It is not enough to celebrate appointments and political recognition if the poor people who constitute the backbone of our communities cannot point to any meaningful improvement in their lives. Let us take the message of hope and opportunity to the grassroots. Let us use the positions, influence and privileges we have received to uplift others. The people must feel the impact of the opportunities we celebrate. For to whom much is given, much is expected. We cannot continue to enjoy the benefits of collective struggle and remain silent when the moment calls for collective responsibility. I answered the call in 2023. Today, I am answering the call of our elders once again. Our elders have spoken. We have listened. We have taken action. The Middle Belt must move forward together!