Gbagyi Leaders Seek FCT State, Greater Representation

Gbagyi leaders have called for the creation of a state from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), greater political representation and a common agenda to address what they described as the marginalisation of their people.

They made the call at the second edition of the Most Influential Gbagyi in Nigeria (MIGIN) awards and magazine ceremony held in Abuja yesterday where speakers also stressed the need for educational development, cultural preservation, accountable leadership and youth empowerment.

In his welcome address, the pioneer and chief executive officer of the MIGIN awards, Dr Isreal Lissa, urged the federal government to grant state status to the FCT, create more area councils, establish an FCT House of Assembly and increase the territory’s senatorial districts from one to three.

Lissa said the initiative, established in 2020, was designed to recognise distinguished Gbagyi sons and daughters, preserve their contributions and promote unity among Gbagyi-Bari communities across the North-Central region.

He said the awards also sought to promote equitable representation and address the challenges of marginalisation and discrimination confronting the people.

Lissa commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing an FCT indigene, Zephaniah Bitrus Jisalo, as Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.

He also commended the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for what he described as inclusive governance and the appointment of indigenous people to strategic positions.

Speaking on the theme, “Building the Gbagyi-Bari Nation: Advancing Unity and Development Through Politics, Tradition, Religion and Education,” the keynote speaker, Dr Theophilus Chigudu Tanko, said disunity was limiting the people’s collective political influence and development prospects.

Tanko said the Gbagyi needed to move beyond repeated calls for unity and establish practical structures to advance their common interests across state boundaries.

He questioned whether the people had a common agenda and a rallying point capable of uniting them irrespective of their political affiliations.