The People of Southern and Middle Belt region of Nigeria have come together to form a political pressure group named ‘Southern and Middle Belt Alliance (SAMBA)’.

The group in a statement dated 16 September 2021 and made available to newsmen said their objective is to advance the social, cultural and economic interests of the south west, south east, south-south and middle belt regions of Nigeria by promoting political alliance between the four regions.

The statement was signed by members of the interim coordinating Committee of the Southern And Middle Belt Alliance, namely, Paul Yusuf, Rwang Pam Jnr, Georgina Awan, Tochukwu Okoye, Emmanuel Ohai, and Ambrose Obimma.

According to the group’s policy document obtained by our correspondent, it is described as a “Lobbying, Political Action, Pressure Group to Influence the quality of leadership and representation, calibre of political leadership, and facilitate grassroot bodies from these regions and thereby advance the political interests of our people”.

The statement further reads, “in the interest of the peoples of the South West, South-South, South East and the Middle Belt regions of Nigeria, we the aforementioned people of like minds across the four geo-political zones have come together to form a political pressure group that seeks to advance the interests of the peoples of the Southern and Middle Belt of Nigeria.

“As 2023 draws closer, we have decided to take our futures and destinies into our hands to take back political power in the interest of our people.

“We will work together with one agenda to actively sensitize our people and create a governance that will truly reflect the will of the people.

“We will inspire fresh and innovative political leaders.

“We will work to stop the genocide, banditry and kidnapping being committed against Nigeria’s indigenous communities across the country.

“We will propose reformative legislations and influence economic policies to make life abundant for all.

“SAMBA’s blueprint is designed to be a grassroot political pressure group that will use all legitimate means to get our message direct to the people, to train and galvanise our people and achieve our mission and objectives.

“SAMBA is a Movement of Nigerians at home and in diaspora, cuts across political views, orientation and allegiances, and as such we will collaborate with like-minded incumbent and aspiring political office holders in the aforementioned regions in the country.”