The promise made to the original Inhabitants of Abuja remains unfulfilled as successive governments have repeatedly dashed their hopes. All these was why a non-governmental organisation, Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED) and others came together in commemoration of the United Nations International Day of World Indigenous People to find a lasting solution to their plight. ADEOLA TUKURU reports.
The programme which kick- started on August 6th to August 9th, 2022 in different parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was in collaboration with Cohort of FCT Original Inhabitant Groups, and with the support from John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
The plight of Nigeria’s original inhabitants in the FCT is one of the national issues that has received little attention. As a result, they have not only had their lands taken away without compensation, but they have also faced various forms of marginalization and discrimination.
This reality has, in turn, contributed to the denial of basic social services to indigenous populations living in backwater communities away from the glitz and glamour of the city centre.
Also, the absence of a defined state-status for the FCT has further subsumed the rights and privileges of the people under a humongous federal structure controlled mainly by the president.
National stakeholders dialogue on the rights of FCT original inhabitants
At the National stakeholders dialogue on the rights of FCT original inhabitants, Executive Director of CHRICED, Ibrahim Zikirullahi, said the inhuman treatment meted out to indigenes might fester due to the insidious mien of some politicians determined to stymie their progress.
The program was themed: ‘Building Resilience, Fostering Recovery: FCT Original Inhabitants and the Struggle for Justice.’
Zikirullahi explained that FCT indigenes made enormous sacrifices to provide space for Nigeria’s capital. Therefore, the government can no longer ignore the voices of the original inhabitants.
He explained that August 9th, was set aside by the United Nations as the world indigenous peoples to reflect on the issues affecting the indigenous people, mobilize political women or resources to address those issues.
According to him, it is a big opportunity to send a message across to the Government of Nigeria and to the International communities that the original inhabitants of FCT were forcefully driven out from their lands and they are still in existence.
These factors have thus impinged on the legitimacy of those institutions thereby constraining the effective delivery of key social goods and services to the people at the grassroots .
Zikirullahi said they are still adopting in agitating for their rights. “So, we have seen the gross violation of the fundamental human rights. Their incredible right to choose their leaders have been taken away from them. For example, in 2023, when every citizens of this country will be going to the polls to elect their governors and members of State Assembly, the original inhabitant will not be participating because they have been denied that.
On appointing non-indigenous ministerial nominees
Successive governments have made a promise of appointing non-indigenous ministerial nominees to the position of Minister of the FCT.
Zikirullahi said states are having members under Federal system and wondered why the original inhabitants whose population is even more than some states in the Federation, are completely denied their rights.
“In the National Assembly, all states are represented but the FCT inhabitants are not, this is an arbitration because these people deserve to be represented.
“Their voice need to be heard. They need to be recognized for the sacrifices they have made. Because the compensation can not be equal to the sacrifices they have made. You know what it means in a place where you buried your loved ones,” he said.
Supreme Court declaring Abuja as a state
He said the Supreme Court has declared Abuja as a state, but the National Assembly failed to put the necessary process in place so as to give them the recognition.
According to him, the constitution itself is there and very clear as far as this issue of state is concerned. “Because the constitution have stated Nigeria should include Abuja as part of the states but they have denied them the rights as a state.
Tradition rulers appeal on scheme of things
The Chairman of the FCT Council of Traditional Rulers, who doubles as the Ona of Abaji, Alhaji Adamu Yunusa, called on the present administration to treat like every other Nigerian.
He said the donation of our ancestral land to government is remarkable for the unity of the people and the peaceful co-existence of the citizens, but we are not getting commensurate appreciation from the country.
Also, the Etsu of Kwali, Alhaji Shaban Audu, stressed that the indigenes had sacrificed a lot for the FCT which ordinarily should count for them.
He said: “We have sacrificed a lot. Though we remain grateful to the government because certain things had been done, more needs to be done for the socio-political advancement of the people.”
Cultural rally of Abuja original inhabitants
Other part of the events was Grand cultural rally of Abuja original inhabitants (featuring exhibitions and dance ), where one of the Princesses in Bwari Area Council from Iku village, Princess Sarki Sylvia explained that when one sees a Gbagyi person, what comes to ones mind is a peaceful man or peaceful woman because they are all known as peaceful people but lamented that they have been taken for granted for that .
She said their culture is so wide and broad adding that the history of the Gbagyi people touches almost all the areas of the northern part of Nigeria.
She said one can find some of their areas in Kaduna, Kano, Katsina Zamfara even all the way from Maiduguri states .
