By Abdullahi Adamu
As the Nigerians await a ministerial list from the executive, we urge president-elect Asiwaju Ahmad Tinubu to balance Nigeria’s political diversity by appointing a minister among natives of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
“We are appealing to Mr President to appoint somebody from FCT as a Minister in the federal cabinet because we believe that doing so will give Abuja natives a sense of belonging within the Nigerian federation.”
FCT natives have contributed immensely to the nation’s socioeconomic and political development. Accordingly, their exclusion is a gross injustice and a negation of constitutional provisions, including the federal character principle.
The contributions of FCT indigenes in maintaining the country’s unity, none of its kinsmen was occupying leadership positions within the nation’s political, judiciary or military circles.
The exclusion of Abuja natives in the last administrations and appointing any credible person within the FCT indigenous population as Minister would right the perceived wrongs and injustices.
“We are appealing to President-elect Asiwaju Ahmad Tinubu to use his exclusive powers to appoint an FCT man as a Minister in the Federal Executive Council.
In making appointments in any portfolio, please consider FCT natives. As stated in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, every citizen shall be treated equally. Likewise, where the nation’s capital is located, the FCT natives should be included in the executive council of the presidential cabinet. To balance Nigeria’s political diversity, everyone should be carried along.
Since the inception of Democratic governance in 1999, it has been crystal clear that FCT natives shall be appointed as the territory minister.
Your excellency, sir, it might interest you to know that with the huge amount of populated FCT natives in Nigeria, they only have one senator and two members of the House of Representatives only at the national assembly. It is an injustice.
We need a state status to increase our franchise beyond local government elections to enable us to have an executive governance structure and independent governing body and to expand our representation at the National Assembly.
Abdullahi Adamu wrote via nasabooyoyo@gmail.com.