Natives demand FCT state with capital in Gwagwalada, 11 new LGAs
The original inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), operating under the umbrella of the Abuja Original Inhabitants Development Association (OIDA), are demanding state status for the FCT, with its capital in Gwagwalada. They are also calling for the creation of 11 additional Local Government Areas (LGAs). In addition to these, OIDA has demanded eight […]
FCT
The original inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), operating under the umbrella of the Abuja Original Inhabitants Development Association (OIDA), are demanding state status for the FCT, with its capital in Gwagwalada. They are also calling for the creation of 11 additional Local Government Areas (LGAs).
In addition to these, OIDA has demanded eight House of Representatives seats, three Senate seats, and the establishment of an Abuja Original Inhabitants Development Commission (AOIDC) to cater to the 858 communities within the nation’s capital.
These demands were formally presented in a 13-page Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). OIDA’s President, Pastor Danladi Jeji, submitted the MoU to the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution during a two-day zonal public hearing held in Jos, Plateau State.
The original inhabitants highlighted that while other Nigerians benefit from state governments and their associated apparatus for socio-political advancement, the natives of Abuja lack a state they can truly call their own.
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According to OIDA, all Nigerians from the 36 states can aspire to become governors or ministers. However, FCT natives have been denied such opportunities due to actions and inactions of the Federal Government of Nigeria, which OIDA argues is contrary to Section 299 of the constitution.
“Whereas all states in the federation have Houses of Assembly where they could decide any form of social and welfare concerns for their indigenes, Abuja natives have none to provide these kinds of services in matters concerning its indigenous people, among other matters,” OIDA stated in the MoU.
OIDA specifically suggested that Gwagwalada be the administrative capital of the proposed FCT state.
The proposed additional LGAs outlined in the MoU are as follows:
- Rubochi LGA with administrative headquarters in Rubochi
- Yaba LGA with administrative headquarters in Yaba
- Wako LGA with administrative headquarters in Wako
- Galuwyi LGA with administrative headquarters in Galuwyi
- Kubwa LGA with administrative headquarters in Kubwa
- Karu LGA with administrative headquarters in Karu
- Karshi LGA with administrative headquarters in Karshi
- Sapeyi LGA with administrative headquarters in New Garki
- Jiwa LGA with administrative headquarters in Jiwa
- Ugbada LGA with administrative headquarters in Ugbada
- Zuba LGA with administrative headquarters in Zuba
The MoU also details the proposed three senatorial districts:
- The FCT North Senatorial District would comprise Bwari LGA, Galuwyi LGA, Jiwa LGA, Kubwa LGA, and Sapeyi LGA, with its administrative headquarters in New Garki.
- The FCT Central Senatorial District would include Ugbada LGA, Rubochi LGA, Kuje LGA, Karu LGA, and Karshi LGA, with its administrative headquarters in Kuje.
- The FCT South Senatorial District would consist of Gwagwalada LGA, Abaji LGA, Zuba LGA, Yaba LGA, Wako LGA, and Kwali LGA, with its administrative headquarters in Kwali.