The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has fixed November 30, 2023 for a definite hearing of the case between the original inhabitants of Abuja and the president of Nigeria and National Assembly.
In a statement signed by executive director of Abuja Original Inhabitants Youth Empowerment Organisation (AOIYEO), Isaac David, the natives expressed confidence in the court to grant their demands.
The FCT original inhabitants had instituted a case against the president and National Assembly seeking the declaration that the residents particularly the FCT natives are the only citizens of Nigeria who have not been participating in elections for governor and House of Assembly like their counterparts in other states.
The natives said that was a flagrant violation of their fundamental rights to freedom from discrimination and the dignity of their people.
David explained that they were therefore asking the court to order the president and National Assembly to establish the FCT executive and legislative bodies akin to those of the states, wherein the FCT natives could stand to vote and be voted into such bodies as governor and members of the House of Assembly like those existing in states of the federation.