The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Stakeholders Assembly has inaugurated representatives from the Bwari Chiefdom as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots participation and amplify the voice of Abuja’s original inhabitants.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the palace of the Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers in Bwari Area Council — His Royal Highness (Dr.) Ibrahim Yaro JP, the 17th Esu of Bwari — brought together community leaders, traditional rulers, women, and youth representatives from across the district.
Speaking at the event, Arc. Aliyu Daniel Kwali, PhD, MNIA, Chairman of the FCT Stakeholders Assembly, explained that the Assembly was established as a non-political, non-tribal platform to unite the original inhabitants of the FCT under one strong, collective voice.
“Just as the South-East has Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the South-West has Afenifere, and the far North has the Northern Elders Consultative Forum, it has become necessary for the FCT to have its own rallying point a central body through which the collective voice of our people can be heard clearly and authentically as our case is peculiar,”
— Arc. Aliyu Daniel Kwali, Chairman, FCT Stakeholders Assembly.
Kwali added that grassroots representation is key to credible advocacy, noting that every ward and community in the FCT falls under a chiefdom, with traditional heads serving as the closest link to the people. The inauguration of 15 district representatives under the Bwari Chiefdom, he said, is part of a broader effort to ensure inclusive representation across all FCT chiefdoms.
The Assembly’s Secretary, Engr. Morris, along with Mrs. Rifkatu Adamu Chidawa and Comrade Isaac David, also reaffirmed the group’s commitment to ensuring that the voices of the FCT’s indigenous communities are respected in both local and national discourse.
In their goodwill messages, Mr. Musa Pada (Jakadan Bwari) and Mr. Theophilus Noah Baba, who spoke on behalf of the council of elders and the youths respectively, commended the initiative and pledged their continued cooperation, likewise few district heads who also spoke.
In his remarks, HRH (Dr.) Ibrahim Yaro JP, the Esu of Bwari, praised the leadership of the FCT Stakeholders Assembly for their foresight and dedication to unity among the FCT’s indigenous people.
“This initiative provides a unified platform for our people to speak with one voice. It is a positive step toward ensuring that the interests of the original inhabitants are effectively pursued,”
— HRH (Dr.) Ibrahim Yaro JP, Esu of Bwari.
