By Ralph Madugu
Media practitioners from the Middle Belt under the umbrella of Middle Belt Journalists Forum, MBJF, have drawn the attention of lawmakers in the National Assembly who are from the zone on the adverse political consequences on any of their representatives still shying away from taking position on national issues affecting their constituents.
In a press statement signed by the Middle Belt Journalists Forum, MBJF President, Jonathan Ipaa and National Secretary, Mrs Oikeke Igado Kure, made available to newsmen, said the constituents would definitely reward those who stand to protect, defend and advance its course.
The MBJF however, applauded the courageous effort of a few NASS members from the zone for not sitting on the fence by voicing out in support of the ban on open grazing by the southern governors and their federal lawmakers.
The group in its statement advised those lawmakers who are still sitting on the fence to distance themselves from policies that are harmful to the peaceful co-existence of their constituents and other Nigerians.
The MBJF particularly, commended the courage demonstrated by some of the federal lawmakers from the zone including Hon. Rimamde Shawulu (Taraba), Hon. Mark Gbillah (Benue), Hon. Usman Sokodabo (FCT), Hon. Amos Gwamna (Kaduna), Hon. Solomon Maren(Plateau), Hon. Tajudeen Yusuf (Kogi) for their strong support for the agitation for the ban on open grazing by killer herdsmen.
They also called on the remaining federal lawmakers who are still sitting on the fence to join forces with their colleagues and other patriotic Nigerians to liberate the suffering masses whose main occupation, farming is currently under threat by armed marauding herders in the Middle Belt areas and other parts of the country.