Supreme Leader of FCT Youths, Ambassador Isaac David, describes Wike’s acknowledgement of indigenous people’s political demands as a milestone in their decades-long struggle for constitutional recognition and equal representation.
The Original Inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have renewed calls for full political and administrative recognition, demanding the establishment of a State House of Assembly, an elected governor, additional federal constituencies and more Area Councils.
The demands were made by the Supreme Leader of FCT Youths, Ambassador Isaac David, who maintained that the nation’s capital should no longer be treated differently from other states in terms of democratic representation, constitutional recognition and political participation.
David described the acknowledgement of these longstanding demands by the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, as a significant milestone in the decades-long struggle of the indigenous population for equal political rights and recognition.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, he said it was the first time since the creation of the FCT that a serving minister had openly acknowledged the political and administrative concerns of the Original Inhabitants and the need to address them.
According to him, the FCT deserves a State House of Assembly comprising elected representatives who would make laws to protect the interests of indigenous communities and promote the overall development of the territory.
He also called for increased representation of the FCT in the House of Representatives through the creation of additional federal constituencies, alongside more Area Councils to strengthen grassroots governance and political participation.
David further argued that FCT residents should enjoy the democratic right to elect their own governor, similar to citizens in other states of the federation, rather than remain without the same level of electoral participation.
He stressed that the Original Inhabitants deserved equal rights, privileges and opportunities available to other Nigerians, calling for an end to what he described as systematic discrimination, marginalisation and neglect of indigenous communities.
The youth leader also drew attention to the ancestral lands, covering approximately 8,000 square kilometres, which he said were acquired for the establishment of the Federal Capital Territory, arguing that the historical circumstances surrounding the creation of Abuja should not result in the continued political exclusion of its indigenous population.
Describing Wike’s acknowledgement as a breakthrough, David said the struggle for political recognition had spanned several generations, with previous generations making efforts to secure justice and equal representation.
“This historic pronouncement is a vindication of our decades-long peaceful struggle. Our fathers cried for it, our mothers prayed for it, and our generation fought for it,” he said.
He added that the Federal Government, through the FCT Minister, had acknowledged the legitimacy of the concerns raised by the Original Inhabitants.
“Today, the Federal Government, through the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike, has acknowledged that our demands are just, constitutional and legitimate,” he stated.
David noted that the development had renewed optimism among indigenous communities for an inclusive political arrangement that would guarantee their participation in decision-making and give them greater influence over matters affecting their ancestral communities.
He subsequently urged Original Inhabitants and residents across the 858 communities in the FCT to remain united, peaceful and committed to their collective aspirations.
He also called on them to support the Wike-led administration with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), expressing confidence that sustained unity, peaceful engagement and democratic participation would bring the longstanding struggle closer to its objectives.
The demands have once again brought attention to the ongoing debate surrounding the political representation, constitutional status and administrative structure of the Federal Capital Territory, particularly the quest by indigenous communities for greater participation in the governance of Nigeria’s capital.
