As the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) commemorates 50 years since its establishment, the Gbagyi people—who identify as the territory's original inhabitants—assert that this significant occasion is tainted by what they label decades of marginalization and human rights infringements endured by the local population. The Weekend Trust highlights the remarkable developments in the nation's capital, alongside its ongoing challenges and the struggles of its indigenous people.
Abuja was designated Nigeria’s capital on February 3, 1976, by the late General Murtala Mohammed, aiming to alleviate congestion in Lagos with a centrally located city. The capital was developed from sections of the former Kaduna, Kwara, Niger, and Plateau states to foster national unity and mitigate ethnic rivalry.
The Gbagyi assert that although Abuja has made substantial strides in infrastructure and administration for the nation over the past 50 years, this progress frequently comes at the cost of displacing and politically sidelining the local inhabitants.
Various groups representing the indigenous community have claimed, among other issues, marginalization and the appropriation of their lands.
Notably, the Gbagyi have indicated that despite being the host community for the nation’s governing body, they have experienced significant political exclusion.
On Tuesday, the FCT Stakeholders' Assembly marked the anniversary with a stern counter-argument, advocating for an end to what they described as ‘systematic dispossession, exclusion, and marginalization’ since 1976.
During a press briefing and stakeholders' meeting in Abuja, Dr. Aliyu Daniel Kwali, president of the FCT Stakeholders’ Assembly, stated that while the government showcases urban advancements, the indigenous communities mourn years of inequity.
Kwali remarked, "For the original inhabitants, the last 50 years have been characterized not by celebration but by loss."
He emphasized that while government reflections may highlight achievements in construction and infrastructure, the true essence of this anniversary holds a distinctly different connotation for the Gbagyi people.
"The anniversary for us signifies systematic dispossession, exclusion, and marginalization," he elaborated.
He presented a list of demands that called for immediate constitutional, political, and cultural reforms to tackle what they view as entrenched discrimination in the governance of the capital.
A significant concern of the group is land rights, wherein they underscored the forced demolitions in areas like Gishiri, Karsana, and Kuchibedna, which were executed without proper compensation or resettlement.
“The bulldozers that arrive at dawn do not recognize homes or historical significance; they merely perceive obstacles to a broader plan. Our ancestral properties, burial grounds, and means of livelihood have been sacrificed for a capital that regards its original sons and daughters as squatters,” he lamented.
They have called for adherence to international standards in land acquisition and resettlement practices, guaranteeing fair compensation for displaced individuals, and official acknowledgment of their customary land rights.
“Development that occurs at the expense of original inhabitants is unsustainable. Genuine national unity cannot thrive where the dignity of people is compromised in their homeland. Justice initiates with restoring our dignity in relation to the land,” he asserted.
Kwali framed the demolitions as emblematic of broader exclusionary policies, stating that despite the constitutional recognition of the FCT as a state under section 299, its residents are still denied full political entitlements.
He added that unlike citizens from other states, indigenous residents of the FCT are restricted from voting and contesting for governance or state assembly roles. Moreover, they suffer from diminished representation in the National Assembly and often face exclusion from federal appointments under the federal character stipulation.
To address these inequalities, the coalition demands constitutional amendments to eliminate provisions that enforce such disparities.
Proposals include subdividing the FCT into three senatorial districts, establishing additional federal constituencies for equitable representation, and reclassifying the territorial councils as full local government entities akin to structures in other states.
Furthermore, the Assembly demanded the reinstatement of full democratic engagement, entailing the rights to vote and contest elections for all state positions. They also urged the establishment of governance frameworks that ensure indigenous people have a voice in decisions pertinent to their communities and livelihoods.
In terms of cultural preservation, they made a strong appeal for an immediate cessation of the degradation of ancestral territories, burial sites, and sacred areas.
They seek legal safeguards for these locations, arguing that their destruction breaches cultural respect and international human rights agreements, including the United Nations (UN) Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
“Development must not be predicated on exclusion. Genuine national unity cannot be realized when a community is stripped of dignity in their homeland,” he concluded.
A former commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), Comrade Ezekiel Musa Dalhatu, remarked that while Nigeria gained a capital, the indigenous population lost their lands, political identity, and economic stability.
"From our vantage point, it has signified national progress but displacement for the indigenous people. This imbalance persists unresolved,” he stated.
Dalhatu criticized the resettlement efforts as fragmented, inadequately funded, and inefficiently executed.
He noted that many native communities that were promised integration into the new capital city ended up pushed to the peripheries, lacking necessary infrastructure, economic opportunities, or social services.
He contended that when resettlement occurs, it often amounts merely to physical relocation devoid of social or economic restoration.
“Authentic integration calls for not merely housing but access to land, employment, education, political inclusion, and respect,” he asserted.
He further described the official compensation narrative as a “myth,” maintaining that compensation payments have been erratic, incomplete, and often nonexistent.
“When compensation has been disbursed, it seldom reflects the true worth of ancestral territory, communal resources, and cultural loss. The fundamental issue resides in perceiving compensation as a single transaction rather than an enduring quest for justice and restoration. Centuries of land rights and identity cannot be erased with sporadic payments,” Dalhatu remarked.
Last year, a coalition of indigenous factions within the FCT called for Abuja to be recognized as Nigeria’s 37th state, with Gwagwalada designated as its capital.
At the inaugural gathering of the FCT Stakeholders’ Assembly in Gwagwalada, leaders framed their pursuit as a collective effort against systemic exclusion rather than an ethnic dispute.
The Assembly’s president, Aliyu Daniel Kwali, highlighted the venue choice's symbolic and strategic implications. “While Abuja is known as Nigeria's capital, Gwagwalada holds the historical and cultural significance of the State of Abuja.
“We have intentionally gathered here to deliver a definitive message to the good people of Nigeria, the federal government, and, indeed, the international community, that the original inhabitants and residents of the FCT, who have long endured marginalization, stand united in purpose and resolve.
“We are unwavering in our commitment to ensure the establishment of the long- anticipated State of Abuja, with Gwagwalada as its rightful capital,” he affirmed.
The FCT minister, Nyesom Wike recently remarked that Abuja has undergone substantial infrastructural advancements since its inception 50 years ago. While inspecting ongoing infrastructure projects, Wike stated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has fundamentally reshaped the city’s layout. Reflecting on the FCT’s 50th anniversary, Wike emphasized that the recent infrastructure developments signify more than mere celebration.
“Over the past three years—this isn’t just a Golden Jubilee celebration—the president’s tenure has transformed the FCT’s landscape,” the minister stated, adding that all developments strictly comply with the Abuja master plan.
Chief Michael Ajisafe, a former civil servant, shared that Abuja's geographical positioning truly makes it a unifying capital, underscoring that relocating the seat of power from Lagos was a well-considered choice.
Ajisafe, who was among the initial staff moved from Lagos during the transition, highlighted that Abuja’s location facilitated the peaceful cohabitation of individuals from various ethnicities and faiths.
Upon arriving in Abuja, he noted that people from diverse states, ethnicities, and religions were integrated into shared quarters or workplaces, as both residential and office accommodations were limited. This fostered a peaceful coexistence among residents, serving as the foundation for the relative harmony observed in Abuja today.
“Ethnic and religious conflicts are rare in Abuja. It has genuinely become a city of unity,” he stated.
In agreement, Ahmad Saleh, who has been a resident for over 15 years, affirmed that the city remains one of the most peaceful and hospitable in Nigeria.
“Across the city, people from diverse backgrounds coexist harmoniously. Abuja is a preferred destination for individuals of various languages and religions to gather for meetings and events,” Saleh added.
The Esu of Bwari, Dr. Ibrahim Yaro, pointed out that as residents celebrate the FCT's 50th anniversary, their primary request is for the federal government to enable the local populace to elect their own governor.
“We desire a scenario where the citizens of Abuja can choose their own governor and elect assembly members. Additionally, we seek two more senatorial seats, akin to what is available in other states, along with more representation in the House of Representatives,” he articulated.
The monarch also remarked that the status of traditional rulers in the FCT has remained stagnant since 1997, the last time a military administration upgraded the institution.
“Many of us have remained at the same rank level since 1997. Our counterparts in other states, with whom we were once at similar class levels, have since advanced to first-class traditional rulers. The FCT Administration needs to address this issue,” implored the king.
A diverse group of residents also urged city officials to proactively develop suburban areas to prevent the central district of Abuja from becoming overcrowded like Lagos.
Lawal Shehu, a lawyer, cautioned that if active measures are not taken to enhance the area councils, the city center will soon devolve into a congested nuisance. He observed that while significant infrastructural developments have occurred since Abuja became the capital, the constant influx of people imposes severe strain on current facilities.
“Even in the capital's center, access to water is becoming an issue. Security challenges, like street begging and ‘one-chance’ criminal activities, are increasingly common.
“The FCTA must prioritize the development of the area councils to ensure Abuja does not parallel Lagos in the foreseeable future,” Shehu urged.
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to comment.
Be the first to comment on this article!