By Hassan Zaggi
Mandate Restoration Group, a Coalition of youth from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint an FCT indigene- Mr Zephaniah Jissalo, as Minister of the Capital Territory.
Mr. Jisalo is one the ministerial nominees recently screened by the Senate.
The group made the call in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.
Spokesperson of the group, Hajiya Zainab Umar Marafa argued that making Mr Jissalo a full Cabinet Minister of the Federal Capital Territory “would go a long way to correct several years of injustice and marginalisation of the aborigines of the FCT.
She further appealed that original owners/ indigenes of FCT, Abuja should be given their rightful positions in the scheme of things to avoid the looming danger of youths restlessness, agitation, confrontation and militancy in the city.
She recalled with pain that successive administration have marginalised and relegated the aborigines of the FCT to the background in political appointments, resource allocation, provision of social amenities and infrastructural development of rural communities.
“Our group is canvassing for the restoration of the manifest destiny of the original owners of FCT, Abuja.
“We have been cheated, margalised and pushed to the background for several years. We do not want to be violent, confrontational and militant in pursuing our demand.
“We wholeheartedly supported the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu who is determined to correct the ills of previous administration,” the Spokesperson of the group stressed.
The Youths Organisations, however, applauded President Tinubu for nominating Mr Jissalo, a former Abuja Municipal Council (AMAC) Chairman with track records of performance and infrastructural transformation as a ministerial nominee.
The group further noted that Mr. Jisalo is conversant with the challenges of the FCT, hence, is in good position to transform it and ensure lasting peace and development in the capital city.
