A group, FCT APC Geopolitical Zones Forum, has urged President Bola Tinubu to appoint an indigene of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as minister of the territory.
The group also said the appointee should be a grassroot politician in the territory.
It lamented that the territory has been treated as a political orphan for too long and has become the most politically marginalised people in Nigeria.
Chairman, APC North East Geopolitical Zone, Alh. Aminu Abubakar stated this on behalf of the group during a press conference yesterday.
He was flanked by chairman, APC South West Geopolitical Zone, Pastor Olusegun Erinle; chairman, APC North Central Geopolitical Zone; Hon. David Omobolaji Obaje.
Others were chairman, South East APC Forum, Mazi Agu Okechukwu Samuel (JP); chairman, APC North West Geopolitical Zone, Alh. Idris Moriki; chairman, APC South South Forum, FCT, Comrade Abdulwahab Ekekhide.
Abubakar, “As we all know, the Federal Capital Territory, becomes the epicenter of activities, before, during and after every elections in Nigeria and the people are active participants in the electioneering processes, both the natives and non-natives, but after every elections the people are relegated, marginalized and denied a place in the Federal Executive Council where all parts of Nigeria is represented by a Minister, we think this negates the principle of inclusiveness in governance and hence call on the President to reverse this ugly trend of political denial of the FCT people.
“As registered Support Groups of the All Progressives Congress, representing the Six Geopolitical Zones in the FCT, we are forced to add our voice to the numerous voices to demand for a Ministerial slot for the FCT.”
He added that with the “Renewed Hope” they believe that there should be a paradigm shift from the old ways of political segregation and discrimination, as this is the time for inclusive governance.
“Indeed, our hopes would be renewed with the appointment of an FCT person into the cabinet.
“The All Progressives Congress, APC, FCT Chapter has been faced with a lot of challenges since taking over power at the centre in 2015, as a result of neglect, it keeps losing grounds politically because even the ministers appointed by the president also continue in the marginalization and discrimination of the people in their own appointments of cabinet members, over 80% of the appointees are people who are imported from other states and without a political ward, polling unit nor voting right in FCT, so during elections they all travel back to their various states where they vote and have control and influence on their people and supporters, whereas we have people from all the states of the Six Geopolitical Zones of Nigeria who are residents and active participants in the politics of FCT, they vote here, belong to different political wards, have followers and control a large number of the voting populace from their Zones across the Wards and polling units that resides in the FCT, this is the umbrella body of all people from the various Geopolitical Zones who are members of the APC in the FCT.
“FCT has become a POLITICAL ORPHAN and the most politically marginalized people in Nigeria, we are hopeful that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will break this age long bad situation and make FCT an integral part of the Country with a great sense of belonging by appointing a competent person from amongst the people of FCT as a Minister.
“We wish to state categorically that those of us who play politics and resides in the FCT are schooled, exposed, and with experience in any field of discipline, and we cut across all geopolitical zones and so, qualified to be appointed as Mandate Secretaries, Heads of Agencies, Departments and Boards of different Parastatals of the FCTA.
“Our party always faces serious challenges in the FCT especially during elections because those who are supposed to empower the people takes the empowerment to their states of origin where they vote and have influence and this is one of the major reasons why the APC loses elections in the FCT, we must change this tide if we want to start winning elections here.
“As Governor-General of the Federal Capital Territory, here is our following prayers:
“Mr. President, our passionate appeal, FCT should have a seat in the Federal Executive Council for inclusive governance.
“To appoint all his cabinet members from political players in the FCT and choose representation of the Geopolitical Zones in the cabinet from amongst their members practicing politics in the Territory. We support fairness, justice, and the true democratic process,” he said.