Natives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the auspices of Abuja Original Inhabitant and Youth Empowerment (AOIYEO) have applauded the judgment of the Presidential Election Tribunal which unanimously agreed that Abuja has no special status more than any other state in Nigeria.
President of the natives, Commandant Isaac David while speaking on the judgment of the tribunal, said that the judgment has indirectly won the case for the indigenous people of FCT pending before Hon. Justice S. Orji of the FCT High Court, Abuja, but that if the FCT equals other states, it would serve as a strong ground to argue its case over the status of FCT.
He said that although they were not a party to the case at the tribunal, the verdict clearly said that FCT has no special status other than to accord it the apparatchik of a state like any other state in the country.
“Therefore asking the court to order the respondents to establish for the FCT executive and legislative bodies akin to that of the state wherein the indigenes of FCT could stand to vote and be voted for into such bodies as governor and members of the House of Assembly akin to those existing in the states of the federation,” he said.
David therefore appeals to the government to, as a matter of urgency not hesitate to implement it once the judgement is given on the matter, saying that FCT Indigenes can not wait to start enjoying their political rights and privileges as enshrined in the 1999 constitution.
He also assured both the Indigenes and residents of Abuja that there is light at the end of the tunnel, they should continue with their peaceful coexistence and tranquility
It will be recalled that the organisation of AOIYEO had instituted a case seeking reliefs which included, a declaration that the residents particularly the indigenes of FCT are the only citizens of Nigeria who have not been participating in elections for Governor and House of Assembly like in other states of Nigeria, as such a flagrant violation of their fundamental rights to freedom from discrimination and dignity of their persons.
The case was filed by the organization’s lawyer James Egah Ndeye on this matter between the REGISTERED TRUSTEES OF AOIYEO VS. PRESIDENT FRN, in the FCT High Court and 30/11/2023 has been fixed for a definite hearing
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