Obey Judgment On Ministerial Slot For FCT Indigenes, Reps Tell Federal Govt

House of Representatives has urged the federal government to comply with the judgment of the Court of Appeal on the ministerial slot for Federal Capital Territory (FCT) indigenes in the Federal Executive Council.

The House also urged the President to appoint an indigene of FCT as a Minister in the next cabinet appointments, in line with the constitutional obligation to treat all Nigerians equitably.

This followed the adoption of a motion by Hon. Abdulrahman Ajiya Hon. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi at plenary.

Moving the motion, Ajiya recalled the judgment by the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on January 15, 2018, between HRH Musa Baba Panya vs President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and which affirmed that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is entitled to a ministerial slot in the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

He said, “Aware of the combined effect of Section 147(1) (3), 14(3) and 299 of the 1999 Constitution, that indigenes of the FCT-Abuja are entitled to Ministerial appointment into the Federal Executive Council.

“Also, awared that the Minister of the FCT is appointed by the President under the aforementioned section of the constitution to represent the interests and aspirations of the residents of the FCLin the Federal Government.

“Concerned that despite the clear provisions of the Constitution and the court judgment, indigenes of FCT have not been represented in the FEC, causing alienation, marginalization, and underrepresentation,” the lawmaker added.

Adopting the motion, the House set up Ad–hoc Committee to investigate the rationale behind the exclusion of FCT indigenes from ministerial nominees by Successive governments despite the ruling of the Court of Appeal on this matter and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

In another motion, the House urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to as a matter of urgency restore the street Lights in Abuja Metropolis and ensure maintenance as the Federal Capital and Administrative Headquarters of Nigeria.

The House also asked FCTA to make provisions for the replacement of the stolen manholes from highways in the Territory and mandated the Committee on FCT when constituted to ensure implementation.

These followed the adoption and amendment to a motion sponsored by Hon. Okpolupm Etteh who lamented the perpetual darkness on major roads and streets within the Metropolis of FCT at night, as a result of inadequate lighting from street lights.