Group Makes Case For FCT Original Inhabitants

The Original Inhabitants Development Association of Abuja, a socio-cultural group, last Saturday in Abuja called on the Federal Government to urgently pay compensation to the “original inhabitants” of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The President of the Association, Pastor Danladi Jije made the appeal in an interview with our correspondent.

He asserted that indigenes of Abuja were not recognised by the 1999 Constitution.

Jije urged the National Assembly to compel the Federal Government to comply with the constitutional provisions which stipulates that government cannot take over any property without the payment of compensation.

“The 1999 Constitution provides that no property should ever be confiscated by government in any part of the country forcefully, until there is prompt payment.

“There must be a compensation that is done with a clear jurisdiction of a court or a tribunal that will adjudicate the taking over of this property.

“This was never implemented.

“The original inhabitants see their ancestral lands being confiscated and sold exorbitantly without government compensating them,” Jije further said.

The group also demanded for the creation of a state in the FCT and the establishment of the Original Inhabitants Development Commission to facilitate development of the indigenous communities.

He said that the original inhabitants of the FCT were disenfranchised and that they deserve more elected representatives in the National Assembly.

“If it’s a true democracy how can the entire FCT sit at home and watch while other states are voting at elections to elect their governors.

“It should be clearly spelt out before 2015 elections that the original inhabitants of the FCT will participate with everybody to do the second tier election.

“We need increased representation in the Senate and House of Representatives. I think something needs to be done for the sake of peace,’’ he pleaded.

The FCT Chairperson of the National Council Society of Women Societies, Mrs Nancy Bulus said that Nigerian women wanted the Constitution to take care of them in every ramification.

“No law made by man can be perfect. The aim is to improve the constitution as a tool of democracy where it will be most responsive to the yearnings of the owners of democracy-the people.

“You must fully express your opinion in each issue. Vote as conscience directs you and keep the overall good of our nation in mind,” Nnaji said.

On his part, Sen. Gil Nnaji, representing Enugu East Senatorial Zone, explained that a people oriented constitution was the best for the country.

“It is the people who will say what will be contained in the constitution. Without the people’s voice, there is nothing that we can do.

“We will gather all their inputs and take it back to Buja,” he said.