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Advocates push for second tier of government in FCT
Advocates focusing on the socio-cultural, political, and economic rights of the original inhabitants of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, FCT)l, are pushing for a constitutional amendment to introduce a second tier of government in Abuja.
During a discussion at a one-day Roundtable on the Political Rights of Original Inhabitants in FCT, organized by the Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Development Awareness, CESDA, they emphasized that in order for FCT residents to experience the full benefits of democracy, they should possess rights equivalent to those of citizens in other states.
Representing the FCT Youth Network, Barr. Daniel Zhidi highlighted the potential advantages of implementing a second-tier government in FCT, including the possibility of establishing educational institutions.
Zhidi expressed concern over the absence of a state university in FCT, which has made it challenging for indigenous youth to secure admissions. This lack of educational opportunities is viewed as a violation of the educational rights of FCT natives.
Zhidi also pressed for the addition of another senatorial district in Abuja, along with the creation of two additional House of Representatives constituencies to ensure more comprehensive representation for the inhabitants of the region.
So , the constitution needs to be amended to reflect this so that FCT indigenes will feel the impact of democracy properly like other Nigerians. We have only two. Other states have more than four and if you compare the population, we are more than some states in Nigeria,” he said.
The legal practitioner called on all relevant organisations to engage the National Assembly for FCT to have more federal constituencies, stating that with that, the indigenous people and residents would feel the impact of democracy like other Nigerians.
“In addition to that, we want more area councils to be added to the six. Section 299 has said FCT should be taken as if it were one of the states. So, the relevant agencies also should look at it and find a way to approach the National Assembly so that “as if” would be removed.
He lamented that because of the expensive nature of land in Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, indigenous youths are stranded as there is no place for them to expand and build their own houses.
Earlier, CESDA’s Executive Director, Mr. Olusola Babalola, highlighted that their ongoing project aims to tackle longstanding political, socio-cultural, and socio-economic challenges faced by the original inhabitants of Abuja.
He expressed concern over the appropriation of the ancestral land of FCT inhabitants without proper compensation, emphasizing that their sources of income have been forcibly removed, leaving them in a state of struggle.
He said “they are Nigerians just like every one of us. Do we say that it’s a course for they to have contributed their land for the wellbeing of the entire Nigeria?”
Highlighting CESDA’s focus on the political rights of original Abuja inhabitants, Babalola noted the organization’s extensive efforts in advocating alongside relevant stakeholders to ensure proper recognition of the people’s political rights.
He recalled the recent appointment of an FCT indigene, Zephaniah Jisalo, as a minister by President Bola Tinubu. This landmark appointment, Babalola explained, was the result of persistent advocacy from various groups striving for the acknowledgment of these rights.
Babalola emphasized CESDA’s request for fair compensation if the ancestral land of FCT indigenes is acquired. This compensation, he stressed, should be structured in a way that prevents further turmoil in Nigeria.
On his part, Mr. Armsfree Ajanaku, the Communications Manager for Programmes 2 at the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), emphasized the need to safeguard the social, economic, and political rights of FCT indigenes.
Ajanaku highlighted the collaborative efforts of CESDA and other organizations in working together to advance the social and political rights of the original inhabitants of Abuja.
He praised the significant appointment, assessment, and confirmation of an FCT native as a minister. Ajanaku added that groups like CESDA, which are mobilizing people at the community level for the upcoming phase of this effort, deserve support from everyone.
“Considering the decade-long marginalisation and political relegation endured by the original inhabitant of the FCT who gave up their ancestral land for which they cannot be adequately compensated by the Nigerian state, there is a need to make it clear that the ministerial slot should not be seen as an end in itself.
“The political environment of FCT original inhabitants will not be completely achieved if all initiatives and advocacies do not translate into good governance. A such, representation must translate into concrete and practical improvement in the lives of the ordinary people of the FCT,” he said.
Ajanaku also called on the FCT administration to consult widely with original inhabitants of the FCT to understand their needs and aspiration as it proceeds to implement governance reforms in the FCT.
By Sunday James
The gruesome killing of 16 innocent northern hunters in Uromi, Edo State, over false accusations of kidnapping is yet another damning indictment of the failure of law and order in Nigeria.
Time and again, innocent lives have been lost to the mindless brutality of mob justice, a savage and inexcusable act that has become far too common across the country.
This is not an isolated incident. Nigeria has witnessed several tragic cases of jungle justice where angry mobs, fueled by misinformation and misplaced aggression, have taken the law into their own hands.
The Aluu Four incident in 2012, where four young university students in Rivers State were falsely accused of robbery, beaten, and burned to death in a horrific public spectacle, remains one of the most chilling examples.
In 2022, Deborah Samuel, a young student in Sokoto State, was lynched by fellow students over alleged blasphemy, an incident that sparked outrage but yielded little justice. In Lagos, several suspected petty thieves were set ablaze by mobs in broad daylight without any fair trial.
Across the country, from Anambra to Kano, Port Harcourt to Abuja, numerous cases of public executions by mobs continue to surface, often with little to no legal consequences for perpetrators.
The rise of mob justice is fueled by a cocktail of systemic failures that have left Nigerians disillusioned with formal justice mechanisms.
The breakdown of law and order, where the Nigerian police fail to deliver swift and transparent justice, has led to public distrust, encouraging citizens to take matters into their own hands. Rising insecurity, including the surge in kidnappings, banditry, and violent crimes, has left many communities in perpetual fear, triggering knee-jerk reactions to perceived threats. Ethnic and religious tensions have also played a major role, with deep-seated biases making certain groups more vulnerable to targeted attacks.
The proliferation of unregulated local vigilante groups and security outfits has further emboldened extrajudicial actions against innocent civilians. Additionally, the slow pace of criminal trials and the failure to punish perpetrators of jungle justice have normalized impunity.The Edo killings, like many before them, must not be swept under the rug.
The government must ensure immediate arrest, prosecution, and conviction of all those involved in this heinous act. Strengthening law enforcement agencies to curb vigilante excesses and restore public trust is paramount.
There must be massive public enlightenment campaigns to educate citizens on legal redress rather than mob action. Strict penalties must be enforced against communities and groups involved in jungle justice to deter future occurrences.The Nigerian government must wake up to its responsibility of protecting lives and ensuring justice for all.
If mob justice continues unchecked, no one is truly safe. This latest atrocity in Edo should be the final warning: justice delayed is justice denied. The killers must be held accountable, and a nationwide crackdown on jungle justice must begin immediately. Enough is enough. The rule of law must prevail.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has congratulated the Muslim Ummah across the country on the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr.
The celebration marks the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.
In a message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Ganduje rejoiced with Muslims for the spiritual renewal and discipline attained during the sacred month of fasting, prayer and devotion to Almighty Allah.
He urged the faithful to uphold the virtues of piety, selflessness, and compassion that Ramadan represents while also extending love and kindness to one another, especially to the less privileged in society.
The APC National Chairman further called on Muslims and all citizens to remain steadfast in promoting unity, peace, and national progress in the country.
He emphasized that the lessons of Ramadan—patience, sacrifice, and perseverance—are essential in fostering harmony and strengthening the nation’s democratic institutions.
The two-term Kano State Governor also urged the Muslim Ummah and Nigerians to pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed in his efforts to lift the country from economic doldrums and resolve lingering security challenges.
He assured Nigerians of the APC-led government’s commitment to improving the welfare and well-being of all citizens, noting that Nigerians will not regret voting for President Tinubu after his first tenure.
News
Abia: LG Chairman, Iheke accused of using soldiers to detain IRS agent, claims Governor Otti’s support
The Chairman of Aba North Local Government Council, Hon. Timothy Kalu Iheke has been accused of excesses and high-handedness in revenue collection at the popular Ariaria International Market.
In a statement issued on Monday by Ariaria Stakeholders Forum and signed by its Chairman, Chief Emmanuel Chukwudi and Secretary, Chief Boniface Kalu on Sunday, the Forum lamented the excesses of the Local Government where he used the soldiers to detain the Managing Director of Star Nkey Ventures, Mr Benedict Elias who is a law abiding citizen.
The statement made available to CAPITAL POST pointed out that Mr Elias was duely appointed as agent to Abia Stat3 Board of Internal Revenue Service (ABIRS), hence, he wasn’t carrying out illegality.
The LG however claimed to have the backing of Governor Alex Otti, but further findings revealed that the Governor would never support illegality to the extent that a law abiding citizen was arrested and detained.
A source told CAPITAL POST in Umuahia that Governor Otti believes in the rule of law and will not support any intimidation whatsoever.
Partof the statement read: “The attention of Ariaria Stakeholders Forum (ASF) have been formally drawn to the unlawful and improper action taken by the Local Government Chairman of Aba North Local Government, Mr Timothy Kalu Iheke who used soldiers to illegally arrest and detain the Managing Director of Star Nkey Ventures Nig, Mr Benedict Elias, a duely appointed Revenue Agent of Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), regarding the revenue collection at Ariaria International Market, Aba, Abia State.
“The Local Government Chairman of Aba North, Mr Timothy Iheke had attempted to unlawfully assume control over the revenue collection operations at the Ariaria Market, which is under the jurisdiction and authority of the Abia State Government wherein the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) is saddled with the responsibility of revenue collection in the said market.
“The Local Government Chairman has no legal authority to interfere with or take control of the revenue collection process that falls under the remit of the State Government market.
“However, despite this, the LG Chairman Mr Iheke had unlawfully and wrongfully used soldiers who before now have been banned by the appreciate authorities from engaging in such illicit activities to unlawfully arrest without any warrant of arrest and illegally detain Mr. Benedict Elias without any detention order at Central Police Station (CPS) Umuahia for two days over false and baseless allegations.
“Mr Benedict Elias the Managing Director of Star Nkey Ventures Nig. a duly appointed and authorized Revenue Agent of the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service was falsely accused of impersonation and of being a fake revenue agent, charges that are entirely unfounded and baseless.
“We would like to emphasize that Mr. Benedict Elias was legally and duely appointed on 13 September 2024 to 31 January 2025 by the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service, BIRS, and was fully authorized to carry out revenue collection and enforcement duties at the Ariaria market which he stopped collection of any revenue at the expiration of the said contract with the state government.
“His appointment letter and identification as a state revenue agent, were in full compliance with the law and can be verified by the relevant authorities.
“The actions taken by the Local Government Chairman Mr Iheke and his unauthorized use of soldiers to arrest a legitimate state revenue agent are highly concerning and represent an overstep of authority.
“This interference not only disrupts the lawful revenue collection process but also undermines the authority of the State Executive Governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti on which Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service is working for.
“The Board Chairman of BIRS had on many occasions warned Mr Timothy iheke to desist from harassing a Mr Benedict Elias and his team who are bonafide Abia State revenue agent in Ariaria market which is state owned but Iheke blatantly refused but rather threatened to deal with the Board Chairman for telling him to desist from working against the interest of the state government.
“As Stakeholders of Ariaria International Market which most of our members have been doing business in the market for over 40 years, we know Mr. Benedict Elias and he has never been involved in any form of illegality or any questionable acts. He is a man of integrity and uprightness.
“We respectfully request that an immediate investigation be initiated into the actions of the Local Government Chairman, Mr Timothy Iheke, and the use of soldiers in this unlawful arrest. Additionally, we ask that Mr. Benedict’s name be cleared and any wrongful actions against him be rectified.
“The relevant authorities at the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service should be consulted to verify Mr. Benedict’s legitimate position and the legal framework governing revenue collection at the Ariaria market.
“We trust that a thorough investigation will be conducted and appropriate action taken to ensure that the Aba North Chairman, Mr Timothy Iheke is brought to book to account for the use of soldiers on an unarmed and law-abiding civilian Mr Benedict Elias.”
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