*Cites Need To Renew Hope, Protect Native Communities
Original inhabitants of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), under the aegis of Abuja Original Inhabitants Youth Empowerment Organization (AOIYEO), have appealed to FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, to intervene in persistent land and demolition issues affecting indigenous communities in the nation’s capital.
In a statement issued by the group, weekend, the FCT natives praised Minister Wike for his commitment to transforming Abuja through infrastructure expansion and urban development initiatives.
But they noted that while these efforts are commendable, they have also intensified concerns among indigenous communities whose ancestral lands continue to be threatened by new allocations and demolition exercises.
The group, led by Commandant Isaac David, called on the Minister to urgently revoke all land allocations made within existing indigenous settlements.
They argued that such allocations often result in the demolition of homes belonging to Original Inhabitants (OIs), leading to displacement and what they described as discrimination against their fundamental rights to property.
“The good people of the FCT need your help to revoke all allocations of lands within existing communities. This will put a stop to the demolition of OIs’ houses and the discrimination against our rights to property,” the statement urged.
The group further emphasized that true adherence to the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda must include meaningful consideration for the plight of Abuja’s indigenous people.
They stressed that continued demolitions—whether carried out by government agencies or private developers—must be halted, and that due process should be strictly followed whenever such actions become unavoidable.
“Indigenous people of Abuja believe that if the government is to live up to its slogan of ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’, there should be serious consideration for the plight of original inhabitants of the city. The continued demolition either by government or developers has to be stopped, due process must be equally followed if at all it must come,” the group stated.
They added that resolving these issues would significantly strengthen the relationship between government and native communities, particularly with the 2027 elections approaching.
According to them, indigenous people remain willing and available to support Minister Wike in fulfilling the mandate given to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deliver a functional and inclusive FCT.
“This will automatically enhance good relationships between the government and the indigenes… Our relationship needs to be strengthened, not shattered,” the group added.
The appeal underscores growing calls for more inclusive land administration policies as Abuja continues to expand, and highlights the ongoing struggle of native communities to preserve their heritage within the nation’s capital.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Wike.
