Abuja@50: FCT Natives Seek Presidential Panel, Commission

Leaders of indigenous communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have urged President Bola Tinubu to establish a presidential high‑level panel to investigate five decades of alleged marginalisation, describing the original inhabitants as the most disadvantaged people in Nigeria.

The call was made at a town‑hall meeting organised by the Abuja Original Inhabitants Youth Empowerment Organisation (AOIYEO) in collaboration with the FCT Stakeholders Assembly. The event, held in Bwari Area Council, was themed “Strengthening FCT Indigenous Community Voices in Key Governance Processes and Review of the FCT Charter of Demands.”

Addressing community leaders, youth and women’s groups, AOIYEO president Commandant Isaac David said symbolic recognition was no longer sufficient and insisted on concrete institutional reform.

“Promoting the inclusion of the original inhabitants in key governance processes and reviewing the Charter of Demands is our discussion for today,” he said.

“We, the younger generation, are committed to asking for accountability. In the 258 communities of the FCT, since 1976 to date—50 years—this is an urgent call on President Bola Tinubu to set up a presidential high‑level panel to investigate the impact of federal government policies on the indigenous people of the FCT.”

David argued that, despite visible development in the federal capital, indigenous people remain among the most marginalised in the country.

He stressed that the demand is not rooted in bitterness but in the pursuit of national understanding.

“When we speak about marginalisation, it should be easy for the whole of Nigeria to appreciate why we are vocal in advocating for the plight of the indigenous people of the FCT,” he said.

He differentiated the peaceful advocacy of FCT indigenes from the violent tactics used elsewhere.

“It is not that we are ignorant of how other Nigerians use violence to press demands, but we have decided our approach must be different because this is the city of power. No person or government will make us abandon the peaceful values we hold,” he said.

David also appealed to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike — whom he described as a “project dogged fighter” — to sponsor a bill in the National Assembly to create an Abuja Original Inhabitant Development Commission.

“We want Nigerians resident in the FCT to support us: you have your voters’ cards, businesses and you pay tax. Your taxes are used to develop the FCT, so you have the right to demand governance and to participate in it,” he said.

“Please, with immediate effect, organise yourselves. If you truly respect the governor of the FCT, do the needful to ensure justice, equal rights and an end to the indignity and discrimination faced by original inhabitants. We cannot continue to plead without taking action.”

Hon. Mark Morris, Secretary‑General of the FCT Stakeholders Assembly, urged residents to use the forthcoming area council elections on 21 February as a vehicle for political emancipation.

“As we all know, original inhabitants in the FCT have been marginalised for too long. The general election for the FCT is coming up on 21 February. We call on all original inhabitants—youth and women—to come out massively and vote to effect the correction we need,” he said.

Morris warned that residents cannot just complain if they fail to vote.

“The women are the largest voting group. We will mobilise you to vote for our candidates to ensure nobody steals our mandate. You have no authority to complain if you do not vote,” he added.

Ambassador Sarki Sylvia, a stakeholder, emphasised civic responsibility and linked electoral participation with the moral right to demand accountability.

“I am here to foster unity, ensure that the rights of FCT inhabitants are realised and promote peaceful coexistence between residents for the overall well‑being and good governance of the FCT,” she said.

Turning to the 21 February election, she asked: “Are we prepared? Do we all have our PVCs?”

“Too often we fail to vote and then complain. You have no authority to complain if you do not exercise your civic rights. If you vote and the government of the day does not meet expectations, then you have the right to complain. That is the first civic responsibility,” she added.

She concluded by invoking shared religious duty to vote, saying both the Bible and the Qur’an (for those who are Muslim) encourage fulfilling civic obligations.