The continuous demand from natives of Abuja to be given a ministerial slot has always fallen on the deaf ears of past administrations, despite Supreme Court judgment stating that Abuja should be treated as one of the states in Nigeria, which made the FCT qualified to have a minister from among its people.
As a new administration assumed office since May 29, 2023, the natives have started raising their voices to get the attention of the government of President Bola Tinubu, with the hope that this time, their voices would be heard and their demands would be met.
The secretary of Kpaduma communities, Simon Baba-Yerima, expressed confidence in the present administration to grant the natives their ministerial demand and that they get a representative in the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Baba-Yerima lamented that they have been marginalised for too long, and that they need proper recognition in the scheme of things in Nigeria. “We need to be part of the decision-making bodies of this great nation. That is why this is our time to get a minister from among our people, who will represent our interest in the FEC meeting.
Abuja is old enough to be seen as a state and even the court has given us judgment in respect to that. So, I do not see the reason why we are denied the right to have an indigene as one of the ministers in Nigeria. But, I believe that President Tinubu will do the right thing and write his name with gold in the history book of Nigeria.
