Thirty-two years of Abuja as seat of power, keen watchers of developments in the country’s capital have insisted that the position of a Mayor be created to facilitate the growth of democracy in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Speaking at an event to commemorate the 32 years of the seat of power in Abuja organised by FCT Administration’s Archives and History Department, they equally canvassed that the first Minister of the FCT, Mobolaji Ajose Adeogun, should be honoured.

Managing Director of The Guardian Newspapers, Martins Oloja, in his speech, believed that “it is expedient that builders of Abuja and the pioneer minister, who supervised the master plan, are honoured on this 32nd anniversary of the capital relocation.”

He also made a case for Abuja to be developed as the country’s capital, as provided in the constitution, as opposed to the call for it to be developed as a state.

“Abuja should not be developed as a state and the original inhabitants should not pursue Abuja as their state. The constitution makes it the capital of the federation,” Oloja stressed.

On the need for the creation of a Mayoral position for Abuja, Oloja insisted that “to consolidate on gains of 47 years of building and 32 years of capital relocation, leadership of the FCT should be elective. The constitution should be amended to enable election of the Mayor of Abuja, who would be accountable to the people. The present arrangement whereby the President alone decides FCT leadership is undemocratic.”

FCT Director, Bureau of Archives and History, Grace Adejo, said the FCTA, through the bureau, orchestrated a day of profound reflection, marked by a roundtable and an illuminating pictorial exhibition to honour the historic relocation of the capital in 1976 and to shine a bright spotlight on the exemplary life and contributions of Adeogun.

“Adeogun, as the Federal Commissioner for Special Duties Overseeing the FCDA, left an indelible mark on the development of FCT. His visionary leadership was instrumental in establishing and executing the Abuja master plan, a blueprint that laid the solid groundwork for Abuja’s future growth and prosperity,” Adejo stressed.

Executive Director, Centre for Peace-building and Socio-economic Resources Development, Ayokunle Fagbemi, hailed the appointment of Adeogun as the first FCT Minister, adding that it drew attention to the importance of FCT to the unity of Nigeria.