Stories by Ayoni M. Agbabiaka
Indigenes of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have charged the President elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to include them in his administration in order for them to benefit from the positive change which they have yearned for after been marginalised by past and present administrations.
Leader of Dagbalo community in the territory, Rev. Danjuma Tanko, made the appeal on behalf of the indigenes in a press briefing on the future of Abuja natives, saying that the people of Abuja had suffered endless marginalisation which had made them to wonder if they were part of the country.
According to him, since the existence of Nigeria, the people of Abuja have never been given the chance to participate in the affairs of governance, and that after the independence, during the North Western state; it was the beginning of marginalisation for the people of Abuja.
He said: “This situation was equally visited during the days of the military rules, when we expected participation during the 2nd Republic. The incoming administration should build a bigger hope for the people so that the people will feel and participate actively in this change that we have been praying for.
“The people of Abuja have a lot of graduates today, but there are no jobs for them because no political appointment has been offered to indigenes.
Our means of survival has been seized from us and converted into buildings and road constructions.
“Our traditional status should also be upgraded and given the chance to contribute actively in the affairs of nation building. It must be noted that this people have sacrificed their kingdoms for the peaceful coexistence of Nigeria, so they must be carried along in the scheme of things.”
Tanko said further that the misappropriation of the federal allocation to FCT showed “a total neglect of indigenous communities and advancement of act of impunity, whereby they seize our plots of land without alternative means or compensation. Developing and providing infrastructure on the seized farmlands, while the indigenes lack good roads and electricity in their communities.”