By Emmanuel Emeka
The Federal Capital Territory Stakeholders’ Assembly has expressed worry over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s list of 35 Ambassadorial nominees, noting that none of them is from the FCT
In a press briefing by the FCT Stakeholders’ Assembly in collaboration with FCT Civil Society Groups and AOIYEO, Abuja Original Inhabitants Youths Empowerment Organization, on Thursday in Abuja, President of the Assembly, Aliyu Daniel Kwali, said the omission was a deliberate and calculated attempt to violate the constitutional and human rights of more than six million Original Inhabitants and residents of the Territory.
Kwali noted that the list followed what he described as a growing pattern of excluding FCT indigenes from key federal appointments.
He recalled that in June 2025, the administration completely disregarded the NCDC Establishment Act, 2024, by appointing a Governing Board for the North Central Development Commission without a single Original Inhabitant.
He added that the appeals made by the OIs and other Nigerians were ignored, stressing that even the death of a member of the group during a peaceful protest did not compel the government to act.
As the country moves toward the 2026 Area Council elections and the 2027 general elections, Kwali said government actions must show fairness, inclusion, and respect for constitutional provisions.
The group called on President Tinubu to include at least one Original Inhabitant among the Ambassadorial nominees and to appoint at least two OIs to the NCDC Governing Board.
Kwali also appealed to the Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, to protect the rights and interests of the Original Inhabitants, noting that Section 299(a) of the Constitution places on him the full responsibilities of a state governor.
He urged Wike to address the injustice with the same vigor he applies to land administration and infrastructure development.
He said, “The OIs of the FCT will no longer accept the persistent violation of our rights. We will resist any attempt to reduce us to second-class citizens in our own homeland.
“We therefore call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately address these injustices by including at least one Original Inhabitant among the Ambassadorial nominees.
“Appointing at least two Original Inhabitants to the Governing Board of the NCDC. We also call upon the Honorable Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, who, in accordance with Section 299(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), stands in for Mr. President as the Governor of the FCT, not to abdicate his constitutional responsibility.
“As the political and administrative leader of the Territory, he bears a heightened obligation to safeguard the rights, freedoms, and interests of the Original Inhabitants, just as any state governor would for their people.
“We urge the Honorable Minister to confront this injustice with the same vigor he applies to land administration and infrastructure development, because, ultimately, human infrastructure is the most valuable asset.”
