FCT Natives Demand Federal Commissioner Appointments

Natives and residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to appoint indigenes as commissioners in all federal parastatals operating in the territory.

An elder statesman, Danjuma Tanko Dara, who spoke to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, criticised appointments made outside of local indigenes, labelling them as an abuse of constitutional rights and a violation of the federal character principle.

He warned that such decisions could provoke unrest among residents, particularly during a time of significant socio-economic challenges for the country.

He expressed concern that appointments from outside Abuja undermine the contributions and struggles of residents, insisting that the federal government should recognise FCT as equal to any other state in Nigeria.

Dara stressed that while an appointment of an indigene is preferred, they would also accept a resident who has lived in the FCT for over a decade and understands its unique challenges.

He, however, rejected the idea of bringing in individuals from other states who have not contributed to the region’s development.

The elder statesman called on key stakeholders, including the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and members of the National Assembly, to uphold the rule of law in these appointments.

He warned that failing to respect the rights of FCT indigenes could lead to disunity and unrest in a city that symbolizes national unity.

“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),” he said.

FCT Natives Demand Federal Commissioner Appointments is first published on The Whistler Newspaper