Marginalization: FCT Natives demand equal rights of representation, seek constitution Amendments to correct injustice

The indigenous people of FCT through their umbrella body FCT Stakeholders Assembly (FCTSA) has call for the amendment of the constitution that will redefine the FCT statue and guaranteed equal rights and representation like other states of the federation.

The President of the Assembly, Dr Aliyu Daniel Kwali made this call at the enlarged executives, stakeholders assembly meeting held yesterday in Geagwalada Abuja

We have discovered that there is far more that unites us than divides us. Teachers, civil servants, artisans, traders, labourers, market women, and . Although we are citizens of Nigeria, we remain trapped at the lowest rungs of the ladder, excluded from the command of politics in he economic our country. Our struggle, therefore, is not ethnic ; it is economic, structural, and systemic . With this clarity, we resolved to broaden our coalition. We have committed ourselves to working alongside resident traders, artisans, teachers, labourers, and informal sector workers as a shared economic class cooperation and solidarity on a continuous basis. Let me state clearly: strengthening the FCT Stakeholders’ Assembly is not hostile to government , on the contrary, we seek constructive engagement inevitable challenges of urban development to address the issues such as land acquisition, resettlement and compensation; protection of heritage sites and sacred spaces; the establishment of a second tier democratic government as exists in other states; and freedom from discrimination as guaranteed under Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution.

We also wish to emphasize that the FCT indigenous or non SA is not in competition with any indigenous civil society org anization , rather, we serve as an umbrella platform to strengthen human rights advocacy through collaboration, coordination, and a clear division of labour based on expertise. In the final quarter of 2025, we undertook an extensive tour of the traditional chiefdoms across the FCT, during which we were honoured to commission chiefdom branches of this Assembly. That tour confronted us with the harsh realities of physical subjugation psychological, mental, and endured by our people. We met individuals whose lives had been so constrained by oppressive laws and policies that hope itself had become a fragile thing Yet we were equally inspired.

he FCT has always been about two fundamental issues: integration and equal treatment. Closely tied to this is the absence of strong legislative representation, a gap that can only be filled by vibrant, capable, and strategic leadership at the National Assembly.

Many had overcome fear and trauma upon realizing that true liberation goes beyond speeches and meetings , organization, mass mobilisation, sacrifice, and resilience it requires . Encouragingly, this group was in the majority. Across all chiefdoms, without exception, the call to break free from decades of unjust, immoral, and oppressive governance structures was loud and unmistakable.

This collective voice affirmed the legitimacy of the FCT Stakeholders’ Assembly and renewed our determination to press forward with courage and conviction. Our mission is clear: power to dismantle an unjust system that has held us captive minorities for generations . While we may face a common enemy, we share a common humanity. Unity is not optional it is essential. Let us be under no illusion: the struggle ahead will be challenging. But if we remain focused, discipline
and united, victory is inevitable. Dr Kwali added

In his speech,the FCT Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Hon.Adamu Adlbdullahi Candido, call on all and sundry in FCT to stop lamentations or blaming others but to look inward and elect representatives that will go to the national assembly and make laws that will change our predicament according to Candido the constitution amendments on issues affecting the indigenous people of FCT will be discussed.the coordinator therefore highlights some of the renewed Hope project in FCT which is evident in everywhere in FCT and therefore solicit for support for President Bola Tinubu as election circle draws near.