Abuja's Indigenous Inhabitants Demand Political Justice

The article discusses the plight of Abuja's original inhabitants, led by Jumai Ahmadu, who emphasize the need for political priority and justice after decades of unfulfilled promises regarding resettlement and compensation. Despite Abuja's growth as a modern capital, indigenous communities continue to experience displacement, loss of farmland, and cultural erosion.

Advocacy groups estimate that two million indigenous people from nine tribes and 17 chiefdoms are affected by systemic neglect. The article references constitutional provisions, specifically sections 299 and 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandate fair political representation and inclusion for the FCT's indigenous people.

The current leadership has made efforts in rural infrastructure development, but the article argues that infrastructure alone cannot replace the need for structural justice and political representation. The call is for political appointments and elections to prioritize Abuja's original inhabitants until full resettlement and compensation are achieved, emphasizing that justice must be fulfilled to bridge the gap between the government and the communities.