A Civil Society Organisation (CSO) known as Young People’s Initiative for Credible Leadership (YPICL) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to consider the appointment of an indigene for the post of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a statement signed by the Founder and Executive Director, Comrade Abdulwahab Ekekhide and made available to CAPITAL POST on Sunday, the organisation said since the advent of democracy in Nigeria, the FCT has been politically marginalised and discriminated against in all democratic ramifications.
The Executive Director also mentioned that no Minister have been appointed among the Natives since the creation of the FCT adding that it is disservice to the people.
“We want President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), to know that this political jinx can be broken and history beckons on him to break it by appointing an FCT person into the Federal Executive Council as a Minister”, he said.
According to the CSO, “Records have it that since the creation of the FCT, a Minister has never been appointed from amongst the NATIVES or NON-NATIVES practising politics in the Territory, especially those that have voting rights and political influence in the Territory.
“As Civil Society we see this as a national disservice to the people of FCT, hence we call for an affirmative action for FCT in the appointment of Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We believe that the people of FCT deserves to be represented in the Federal Executive Council as Cabinet member(s)
“We want to use this medium to appeal to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to use his powers to nominate a competent person from amongst the rich poll of FCT Technocrats, Political Scientists, Politicians, Seasoned Administrators and a host of other very qualified persons who have voting rights and political influence in the Territory as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as an affirmative action for inclusiveness.
“The President can break any encumbrances militating against the appointment of an FCT person as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by invoking his powers to select the North Central Ministerial candidate from the FCT.
“Democracy is all about participation and the people of FCT are active participants in the Nigerian electoral processes, hence deserves recognition, appreciation and reward for their active participation in the politics of Nigeria as the essence of politics is for benefit to the people, but FCT has been denied this benefit since 1999”.
