The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, CHRICED, has decried the continued plight of the original inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory whose lands were taken to create the capital city of Nigeria.
The group said the continuous suffering of the original inhabitants was a reflection of the conclusion that the federal government was not committed to freedom, equality and justice.
The position of the group was made known on Monday by its Federal Executive Director, Dr. Ibrahim Zikirullahi at the opening ceremony of a two-day workshop on the Training of Media Practitioners on Effective and Impactful Reporting on Indigenous Issues in Nigeria, in Abuja.
According to him, it was unfortunate that the indigenous people of the FCT had been left to regret the sacrifice of making their land available for the creation of the capital city.
He said the indigenous people were not only landless but economically deprived among other problems.
His words: “FCT Original Inhabitants have made a lot of sacrifices for Nigerian unity over the past 40 years, but the promise of “freedom, equality, and justice” in the constitution has been a pipe dream and a mirage for them. Instead, the paradox is that these peace-loving people who gave up a lot to give our country a place worthy of capital city, are now left to regret and suffer because of their patriotic disposition. Today, not only are the original habitants in the FCT landless, they have also been economically deprived, just as their culture stands the risk of going into extinction.
“A visit to Abuja Original Inhabitants communities, just a few hours’ drive from the beautiful Abuja City Centre, would expose the filthy underbelly of the people deprivation, and reveal the reality of communities lacking functional health and education facilities, deplorable roads, potable water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.
“The lack of representation in the core governance structure responsible for service delivery worsens the reality of the Abuja Original Inhabitants. And unlike other Nigerian citizens in varioius states who have the right to vote for a Governor and State House of Assembly, Abuja Original Inhabitants are denied such right. In fact, as Nigeria counts down to the 2023 general elections, the democratic process itself is a painful remind of the marginalisation and exclusion of FCT Original Inhabitants.”
