Constitutional Amendment: FCT Inhabitants Calls on Lawmakers to Consider Their Plight while Voting

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja

The original inhabitants of Abuja in conjunction with the Centre for Transparency Advocacy have called on Lawmakers to consider their plight as they vote tomorrow on the amendment of some clauses and section of the 1999 constitution.

The group made the call on Monday while briefing journalists in Abuja noted that, it became imperative in order to fight for the rights of the original inhabitants of the FCT.

Convener of the group, Lazarus Nyaholo, said that, of great interest which directly affects them are section 297 to 307 to be replaced by Establishment of a Mayoralty for FCT with an elected Mayor and Mayoral Assembly which will now replace the President by designating FCT Minister as the Governor of FCT and National Assembly as the FCT Legislators as against the status of executive and legislative functions respectfully vested on the President and National Assembly.

The group demands on section 14(1) that deals with appointment into Federal Executive Council. The clause provides for appointment of Minister at least one in each of the 36 states of the federation, it is to be amended to add "and the FCT". 

"By this the people of FCT will have a representative at the federal executive council. Let me however, make it very clear here or rather disaburse the minds of some people that, we are not asking for an original inhabitants of FCT to be appointed the Minister of FCT, no. But a federal executive council who can be posted to the Ministry to serve. If the Mayoral council is esterblished, the office of the FCT Minister will automatically seize to exist". He explained.

They however appealed to the Lawmakers to uphold the citizenship of original inhabitants of FCT being Nigerians like every citizen of Nigeria by voting 'YES' for the amendment of these sections of the constitution to give the original inhabitants of FCT a sense of belonging as the first citizens that have sacrificed their identify, homes, economy, social and political status by giving up their land and providing a peaceful atmosphere for the unity of Nigeria.

"History will surely not forget the 9th Assembly for upholding their oath of office to uphold the constitution and do good to all manner of people including justice for the original inhabitants of FCT". He said.

The commended President Mohammadu Buhari for signing into law the electoral Bill of 2022. Part of the content of the bill especially the deployment of technology which he said were put to test in Anambra state and the just concluded FCT Area council election and found to be effective in arresting some electoral malpractices, delay and other inadequacies usually experience in the past

"The two elections are adjudged free, fair and credible in recent times" he said.

Adding that is a hope recandled for good governance and sustainable democracy in Nigeria.