By Ologeh Joseph Chibu
The Middle Belt, mostly ethnic minorities in Northern Nigeria have rejected the viral clip promoting Arewa Republic
In a statement made available to Irohinoodua on Thursday, the various ethnic nationalities represented by several Middle Belt groups namely: Save the Middle Belt, Restructuring the Middle Belt, Association of Middle Belt Ethnic Nationalities, Middle Belt Youth, Middle Belt Patriots, Middle Belt Coalition, Middle Belt Movement, Middle Belt Youth Organization and Middle Belt Youth Council Worldwide expressed their deep concern and outright rejection of the video circulating on social media.
“The various ethnic nationalities represented by the under-listed Middle Belt groups wish to draw the attention of the Nigerian general public to a video making the rounds in the social media purportedly displaying the flag, logo, map and coat of arms of an unknown ‘REPUBLIC OF AREWA’ and playing what sounds like an anthem,” the statement began.
The video, which features a map that includes the whole of, or portions of, Kebbi, Niger, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, and Adamawa States, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), claims these areas as lands and peoples belonging to the so-called Republic of Arewa. However, the Middle Belt groups, whose people have historically occupied many of these regions, have firmly rejected any association with this proposed entity.
“By this publication, we wish to state that we are not aware of such a formation and, therefore, dissociate ourselves, our people, and our land from the entire content of the video and its creators. We are people of the Middle Belt Region of Nigeria and cannot belong to an imaginary ‘Arewa’ now or in the future. The public should, therefore, please take note.” the statement concluded.
The reaction from the Middle Belt comes amid rising tensions and political movements in Nigeria, where calls for regional autonomy and self-determination have gained traction in recent years. The Middle Belt, a region rich in cultural diversity and home to numerous ethnic minorities, has long been a contested space in Nigeria’s complex ethno-political landscape.
Historically, the Middle Belt has maintained a distinct identity separate from the core northern states often associated with the Hausa-Fulani majority. The region has its unique cultural, religious, and political dynamics, which have often placed it at odds with broader northern Nigerian narratives. The emergence of the “Arewa Republic” video, therefore, is seen as a direct threat to the autonomy and identity of the Middle Belt people.
In the face of growing uncertainties, the Middle Belt’s stance reaffirms its commitment to its people, culture, and future, standing united against any attempts to subsume their identity into a broader, unfamiliar construct.
The message is clear: the Middle Belt belongs to its people, and they will not be coerced into a union that does not reflect their history, values, or aspirations.