Original inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the aegis of the Original Inhabitant Development Association (OIDA) have called on the President and the National Assembly to accord the Territory a state status to enable them elect a governor to Carter for their well-being.
The President of OIDA, Danladi Jeji stated this on Saturday in Abuja during a Town hall meeting organized by FCT natives. He lamented that despite several relocation experiments adopted by successive administrations to resettle indigenes whose lands were acquired by the government for development purpose, no headway has been achieved.
He blamed the development on the appointment of a non-indigene to administer the affairs of the people, stressing that if the people were allowed to elect their Governor, State House members and federal legislators, they would be held Accountable.
"The failure of the Federal Government to resettle, relocate and compensate our people at the initial cost of N2.8 billion in 1978 has led to several policies summersaults. In spite of all the challenges, we are still here, and we are not prepared to go anywhere because we have nowhere to go.
“All we want is to also be represented in the Federal Executive Council. The natives no longer want a city-centred minister that focuses on developing elite districts.’’
He appealed to the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to reflect the cosmopolitan nature of Abuja.
“This is our own idea of restructuring, a restructuring based on devolution of governmental powers from federal authorities to Abuja city authorities.
“We no longer want the present military contraption, where a minister is appointed to run the Federal Capital Territory like a cantonment.
“We must change the constitution to reflect our wishes for a modern and cosmopolitan capital city.’’ He added
