The indigenous people of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Abuja have kicked against the long-standing relocation policy adopted by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), saying that the policy is a breach of their fundamental human rights and the rule of law.

The Abuja indigenes, while speaking during a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, held at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, on Tuesday, advocated an inclusive urban renewal and integration approach that fosters acceptance, comfort, and provides humane and equitable alternatives.

The Sepeyi of Garki, Usman Nga Kupi, who represented the Ona of Abaji, lamented the sacrifices made by FCT natives, including the loss of ancestral lands and property in the name of national development.

Bala Iya, representing the Kpaduma community, who spoke in the same vein, decried what he described as a longstanding pattern of injustice and discriminatory practices against indigenous residents.

He said that it was regrettable that their farmlands had been seized without compensation, disrupting not only their livelihoods but also the people’s spiritual and cultural ties to their land.

“The resettlement process must include allocation of reasonably sized land, with proper title documents and financial support for building development as approved by development control,” he said.

Also, the Original Inhabitant Development Association of Abuja called for a constitutional amendment to secure equal rights for FCT natives. The association’s President, Danladi Jeji, who was represented by Giwa Bamaiyi, proposed the establishment of a National Commission for Indigenous Peoples to address the systemic challenges faced by original inhabitants.

Declaring the hearing open,
Meanwhile, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, while declaring the public hearing open, urged stakeholders to freely express their views, noting that such contributions would assist lawmakers in crafting informed legislation.

Abbas, who was represented by Joe Oke Onuakalusi, described the intervention as a critical step towards promoting national unity and the brotherhood embedded in Nigeria’s constitution and National Anthem. He said that the issue of integrating FCT indigenes had been a recurring debate by successive administrations, emphasising that the matter is not just relevant to Abuja but has broader implications for justice and equity across the country.

The Speaker, therefore, charged the committee to carefully document all contributions made during the hearing, assuring that the 10th House, under his leadership, is committed to developing legislative solutions that reflect the collective aspirations of the people.

However, the Chairman of the committee, Fredrick Agbedi, said that the hearing was prompted by a motion earlier moved on the need to explore alternative approaches to resettling or integrating both indigenous and non-indigenous residents in the FCT. The committee, thereby, granted a two-week extension to enable the FCDA to submit its presentation.