In unison with the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), nine other groups promoting the rights of the Original Inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have urged the National Assembly to vote in favor of proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution, which concern FCT Original Inhabitants. The groups noted that the proposed amendments would address injustices and marginalization faced by the Original Inhabitants of the FCT. The groups lamented that Original Inhabitants of the FCT have put up with so many years of hardships, political marginalization, and economic deprivation in spite of the tremendous sacrifices they have made to provide Nigeria with the space that is home to its Capital Territory.Â
The CSOs explained that the although the proposed amendments do not completely address all the issues confronting the Original Inhabitants, if passed, it would amount to an appreciation of the sacrifices made by the Original Inhabitants in the FCT.
According to the groups, the National Assembly’s vote on March 1 should take into consideration the enormous sacrifices made by the FCT’s original inhabitants to provide the nation with the capital, which is now a shared space for all Nigerians.
The groups added that since the indigenous people of the FCT have had to endure over four decades of marginalization and deprivation, unanimous endorsements of the proposal should be granted them as a mark of solidarity with them. Members of the cohort who signed the statement were; Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education, Abuja Original Inhabitants Youth Empowerment Organization, Association of FCT Traditional Rulers Wives, Mairo Women Foundation, Helpline Foundation for the Needy, Abiodun Essiet Initiative for Girls, Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Development Awareness, Socio Economic Research and Development Centre, Centre for Transparency Advocacy and HipCity Innovation Centre.
