By Daniel Tyokua
The Abuja original inhabitants have sought the creation of gubernatorial status for the Federal Capital Territory and more National Assembly seats.
Chairman of the indigenous group, Bitrus Garki made the demand in a statement he issued at the weekend.
Presently, the Federal Capital Territory has one senator and two House of Representatives.
He lamented that while other Nigerians in the FCT have the opportunity to exercise their franchise in deciding their Governors and House of Assembly members, FCT original inhabitants are disenfranchised and deprived of the privileged civic duty.
Garki also frowned at the practice where the FCT does not have an assembly exclusively dedicated to itself, rather the National Assembly doubles as FCT Assembly.
The statement reads: “This is indeed so for the indigenous peoples of the Federal Capital who can cast their votes for only the President and federal Legislatures.
“The effects and impact of the discriminatory policy and the deprivation of right of franchise can only better be imagined. This is indeed so given the incredible sacrifices towards ensuring that the Federal Capital Territory has become a reality even though at their own peril.
“Policies have been inconsistent and where any is being implemented, they have been carried out with impunity thereby putting the future of the inhabitants in a state of uncertainty and indeed jeopardy”, he lamented.
He, particularly berated the resettlement programme of original inhabitants, saying it has failed, even as most of the people have been short-changed and their lives in the Territory turned to nightmare, while that of others flourished.
