The Original Inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory, in collaboration with Centre For Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) appeal to National Assembly on the constitutional gaps which undermined the political, civil, economic and cultural rights of the original inhabitants of Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Executive Director of Centre For Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), Dr. Ibrahim Zikirullahi, made this disclosure in Abuja at a meeting with all relevant stakeholders.
He said the briefing is aimed at redressing the marginalisation and institutionalized discrimination meted against the original Inhabitants of the FCT.
Zikrullahi said these injustices is opposed to the United Nations Declaration of the Right of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) to which Nigeria is a signatory, which gives the indigenous people the right to be free from any kind of discrimination and right of self-government in matters relating to their internal affairs as well as ways and means for their financing their autonomous functions.
He therefore called on the National Assembly to demonstrate real commitment to addressing the root cause of the disaffection across the land, adding that constitutional review should not superficially address the demands of Nigerians.
President of Original Inhabitant of FCT, Danlandi Jeji said the association has repeatedly submitted six memorandum to the National Assembly since Nigeria became democratic soliciting for the upgrade of FCT to state status. He said their demands had not been taken seriously.
CHRICED is an non governmental organisation has put it upon themselves to amplify the voices of Original Inhabitants communities by influencing the beginning of Public Hearing organized by Senate Committee on review of the 1999 Constitution on May 26th and 27th, 2021.