FCT Natives demand appointments as commissioners in Fed. parastatals

Stories by Stanley Onyekwere

Some residents mainly natives of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to consider appointing  FCT indigenes as commissioners in all federal parastatals in the territory, in line with the federal character, as well as constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

A major stakeholder and an elder statesman in the FCT, Danjuma Tanko Dara, who made this call yesterday  at a press briefing on behalf of the natives and residents, described any appointments outside an indigene for such positions as an abuse of constitutional rights and federal character, and against the original inhabitants and residents of Abuja.

Dara noted that at a point where the country is presently facing socio-economic challenges and everyone is thinking of how they can manage the situation, residents and natives of the FCT should not be angered or made to have a rethink that would jeopardise the peace and unity of the territory.

He said: “These appointments of commissioners we are asking for are little appointments that Indigenous people of FCT can boast of at any time, based on the constitution that the present administration used to prove that FCT can be seen as one of the states of Nigeria, and it should operate like other states with full rights should not been taken away like the days of autocratic demon leaders.

“We expect this government to use this opportunity to showcase differences and put its records in the right perspective as enshrined in democracy by not bringing somebody from any other state, who has never stayed in the FCT or contributed to the struggle and impose them on the people of the FCT.

“This is not right, and it should be condemned by well-meaning residents and indigenes of the FCT.

“That is why we are appealing to the President who has the interest of Abuja natives at heart, to consider appointing an indigene or a resident of the FCT to take over the position of federal commissioner in the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).”

Futhermore, the elder statesman explained that even if it is not an indigene of the FCT that is appointed, an appointment of any resident of the FCT, who has been living with them for ages will be accepted.

“We will not have a problem with an appointment of any residents who have lived with us for more than 10 years because he will understand our plights, and our struggles and know how to go about it.

“But, not to bring somebody from any other states outside Abuja, someone who has never contributed to the development of the FCT in any way, to come and take over such a sensitive position in the FCT, is unacceptable.

“That means the person would be coming to enjoy what we have been struggling for over the years, without joining in the struggles or contributing to it. This is unacceptable.

“We are rejecting any appointment of anybody outside FCT, and we, the Indigenous people of the FCT will not accept it”, he stressed.

He further said that Nigerians should be reminded that in life, there is a natural law of creation and it exists with nobody changing it.

According to him: “We are urging the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Senators, House of Representatives members, judiciary and all executive arms to work by the rule of law, so that we all have cause for the mercy of God on Nigeria, by ensuring that only a native of FCT is given the mandate to hold the position of FCT Commissioner for FIRS.

“Because, positive and negative just as we have with opposites, Abuja symbolises unity, and it can also lead to the opposite, which is disunity.

“God can do that. If the government can not simply respect the rule of law, then it is calling for anarchy.  They should not force a sleeping dog to rise and bite.”