By Marie-Therese Nanlong

JOS — THE  Middle Belt Progressive Movement, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for the planned national conference, saying it will give the minority tribes opportunity to inform Nigerians and others, the sufferings they have been passing through all these years in silence.

Speaking, yesterday, the legal adviser to the group, Nankin Bagudu said the decision was a right step in the right direction because “we know that Nigeria as a nation was founded on a faulty foundation and there are great injustices to the minority tribes in the country.”

Bagudu argued that when late sage, Chief Obafemi  Awolowo canvassed for regional government, people thought he was a tribalist, but today, he had been vindicated.

According to him, “We are glad that this is happening because of the concern the minority tribes have which we believe would be addressed in the conference. Nigeria was founded on a faulty foundation where the majority tribes benefited and stifled the minority. The blood of the Middle Belters kept Nigeria together but its people are made to be second class citizens.”

On his expectations, he said: “The political system is a great injustice to the minority. People with genuine concern should be given room to express themselves not those who want to appear on the television seeking their self interest. The issue of parliament is just for pleasure but we believe representation in parliament should reflect all the tribes in the country for proper representation.

“The allegation that five per cent of the nation’s income is spent on the National Assembly is alarming, many are advocating for a change and if the majority seeks a change, the National Assembly should be able to make sacrifices and pass the majority’s yearning into law so as to move the nation forward.”