An Advocacy Organization, The Young People’s Initiative for Credible Leadership on Sunday, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to appoint an indigent as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The group made this appeal in a statement issued by its Executive Director, Comrade Abdulwahab Ekekhide.
According to the group, the indigenous people of the FCT, have not been treated fairly, since the return of Democracy in Nigeria, noting that no government in the past has appointed a native of Abuja, as the Minister of the city.
However, the group made a strong appeal to the president, to make it a matter of importance, in breaking the jinx, by appointing an Abuja indigent, as a Minister, noting that democracy must benefit the people of the FCT.
Stating further, Ekekhide explained that since the creation of the FCT, no minister has been appointed amongst the natives or non-natives, practising policies in the FCT, noting that Tinubu will be making history as a president to be fair with them if he does so.
The statement reads partly:
“Since the advent of Democracy in Nigeria in 1999, the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) has been politically marginalised and discriminated against in all democratic ramifications.
“As Civil Society, we see this as a national disservice to the people of FCT, hence we call for an affirmative action for FCT in the appointment of Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We believe that the people of FCT deserve to be represented in the Federal Executive Council as cabinet member(s)
“We want to use this medium to appeal to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to use his powers to nominate a competent person from amongst the rich poll of FCT technocrats, political scientists, politicians, seasoned administrators and a host of other very qualified persons who have voting rights and political influence in the Territory as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as affirmative action for inclusiveness.
“Mr President can break any encumbrances militating against the appointment of an FCT person as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by invoking his powers to select the North Central Ministerial candidate from the FCT.
“Democracy is all about participation and the people of FCT are active participants in the Nigerian electoral processes, hence deserve recognition, appreciation and reward for their active participation in the politics of Nigeria as the essence of politics is for benefit to the people which FCT has been denied since 1999.
“The FCT is politically marginalised and discriminated against to the extent that when a Minister is appointed, he/she in turn imports persons from other States who do not vote or have political influence in the FCT to occupy government executive positions.
“For example, the previous ministers who served in that capacity were also appointing Mandate Secretaries and other government appointees thereby boycotting the natives and non-natives that have voting rights and political influence.
“Oftentimes, during electioneering periods, these appointees would also relocate back to their various States of origin where they have voting and political influence leaving the people of FCT with no political leaders to turn to which has always affected the outcomes of FCT elections negatively because the people are not politically empowered.
“We want Mr President to know that this political jinx can be broken and history beckons on him to break it by appointing an FCT person into the Federal Executive Council as a Minister,” Ekekhide appealed.