An appeal to the president-elect

As Nigerians await a ministerial list from the president-elect, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, I wish to urge him to balance the political diversity in Nigeria by appointing a minister among natives of the federal capital, Abuja. We, the indigenes, are appealing to Mr President to appoint somebody from the FCT as a minister in the federal […]

As Nigerians await a ministerial list from the president-elect, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, I wish to urge him to balance the political diversity in Nigeria by appointing a minister among natives of the federal capital, Abuja.

We, the indigenes, are appealing to Mr President to appoint somebody from the 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 socio-economic and political development of the nation, and their continued exclusion is a gross injustice and a negation of constitutional provisions, including the principle of federal character.

It is sad that despite their contributions to maintaining the country’s unity, none of their kinsmen is occupying leadership positions within the nation’s political, judiciary or military top circles.

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The appointment of any credible person within the FCT indigenous population as minister will right the perceived wrongs and injustices.

We are appealing to President-elect Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu to use his powers to right this wrong and appoint an FCT man as a minister in the Federal Executive Council.

Similarly, in making other appointments, we plead with him to consider FCT natives. This is in line with the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which says all citizens shall be treated equally.

Since the inception of democratic governance in 1999, it is crystal clear that FCT natives have been left out of the governance of the country.

Your Excellency, sir, it might interest you to know that with the huge population of FCT natives in Nigeria, they only have one senator and two House of Representatives members. This is a grossly inadequate representation of the people.

The FCT should be considered a state to further expand the level of governance beyond the local government level.

There is also a need to increase the number of representatives in the National Assembly.

 

Abdullahi Adamu wrote via [email protected]