A youth organisation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Youth Coalition for Positive Change, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to consider an indigene of the area for the position of FCT minister.
The group assured that such an appointment would not only bring about even development to the capital territory but also give its indigenous people a sense of belonging.
The President-General of the coalition, David Chukwumelugaba, noted that since Abuja became the federal capital of Nigeria no indigene has ever functioned in that capacity. According to him, it was time the federal government took this into consideration in the appointment of FCT minister.
"There are eminent and qualified Abuja indigenes to occupy the position and we are optimistic that they will perform excellently," he said. "Having a qualified indigene as FCT minster will no doubt bring true development to the city since they know where the shoe is pinching them. Since Abuja became the federal capital, there have been 15 ministers and none of them is a native of the FCT. It seems as if they are being marginalised."
The President, African Youths International Development Foundation (AFYIDEF), Tunji John Asaolu, said the recent clamour for an indigenous FCT minister has gained importance as the nomination list of the new cabinet to be formed would soon get to the National Assembly.
According to Mr Asaolu, "The position of our group is that in as much as there is no section in the country's constitution excluding an FCT indigene from being appointed FCT minister and the fact that the indigenes have no other home, there is a need for them to be fully carried along in the country's affairs, like their brothers and sisters in the Niger Delta region."
Some indigenes of the FCT have thrown their weight behind the lobby. Edward D. Esubi enjoined Mr Jonathan to "give an indigene a try". In the opinion of Kenneth H. Ilia, such an appointment would enhance the transformation agenda of the present administration.
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