Stakeholders Urge Tinubu to Appoint Abuja Indigene as FCT Minister

*Say ministerial nominee, Zephaniah Jisalo, fits the bill

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

Concerned stakeholders in the Federal Capital Territory Thursday appealed to President Bola Tinubu to appoint an FCT Indigene Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking to newsmen in Abuja on behalf of the group, an Abuja-based Real Estate and Property Developer, Francis Bobai Matthew, called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure that an indigene of the Federal Capital emerges the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory for the first time since the creation of the nation’s capital.
He said it will amount to injustice for a non-indigene to be appointed as minister of FCT.
Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, on the injustices of past administration against the indigenes, Bobai Matthew said the FCT should not be denied the benefits of producing the next FCT minister.
He noted that the All Progressives Congress (APC), during the 2023 presidential election, argued that the FCT is a state, citing Section 132 (1) (b) and (2) (b), with emphasis on “two-thirds of all the states in the federation and the FCT”.
“For fairness, justice and equity, the APC-led government of President Bola Tinubu should not deny the FCT of a ministerial slot just as each of the 36 states get at least one ministerial slot.
“This is in line with Section 318 of the 1999 Constitution on federal character principle to promote national unity, foster national loyalty and give every citizen of Nigeria a sense of belonging.
“The APC-led administration should give a sense of belonging to the aboriginal people of Abuja and give a ministerial slot to an indigene of the FCT, just as each of the 36 states produce indigenes as members of the federal executive Council”, he said.
He recalled that in January 2018, the court of appeal in Abuja ruled that indigenous people of the FCT are entitled to ministerial slots as provided by the combined provisions of sections 147 (3), 299, 14 (3) & 42 of the 1999 constitution.
The court also declared that the refusal to appoint an indigene of FCT as minister constitutes a gross violation of the provisions of the constitution on fundamental human rights.
He expresses his concerns on the competence of Zaphania Jisalo, the first Abuja indigene to be nominated for a ministerial position, who is also a former member of the House of Representatives.
“Zaphania , is a huge national asset and a blessing to our nation. If appointed as FCT minister, I know his ability and capacity, he will definitely deliver.
“He was elected Chairman Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in 2004 as a result of his excellence, he was re-elected in 2007. He served in that capacity in 2010”, he said.
He urged the President to give Zaphania, a chance to manage the ministry of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) given his strong leadership capital and innovative thinking abilities.
He said, Zaphania is passionate about the development of the FCT even since he was in AMAC, he demonstrated his multiple competencies, great planning knowledge, and have the leadership capital and have the capacity to think differently”, he said.