In a dramatic confrontation, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force fired tear gas at peaceful protesters gathered at the National Assembly in Abuja. The protesters, comprising members of the Original Inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), were demonstrating against the marginalization of the territory’s indigenous communities and the nomination of Comrade Solomon Adodo to the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) board.
According to Comrade Zakari Gambo Babale, Secretary of the FCT Youth Stakeholders Forum and a leader of the protest, Adodo is not an indigene of the FCT but rather from Benue State, which already has four representatives in the commission. The protesters demanded Adodo’s withdrawal and replacement with an FCT indigene who understands the challenges faced by the territory’s original inhabitants.
Also speaking during the protest, Pastor Danladi Jeji, President of FCT Original Inhabitants, expressed deep concerns about the continued marginalization of the territory’s original natives. Addressing the protesters, Jeji emphasized that Abuja must be recognized and treated as a state by 2027, with their state secretariat sited in Gwagwalada.
Jeji highlighted that the nine tribes constituting the original inhabitants of the FCT – Amwamwa, Bassa, Egbira, Gade, Ganagana, Gbagyi, Gbari, Gwandara, and Koro – have been neglected for far too long. He demanded that their rights and interests be prioritized, stressing the need for equitable representation and development in the territory.
The situation later turned chaotic when police deployed tear gas, affecting protesters and journalists alike. Babale condemned the police action, stating that the protesters were peacefully waiting to present their grievances to the National Assembly leadership.
The protesters’ demands underscore the growing frustration among the FCT’s indigenous communities, who feel their voices are not being heard. As the protest continues to draw attention, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to their demands.
