Political and traditional leaders in the Federal Capital Territory have made a call to the Federal Government and the National Assembly to speed up the process of democratising governance in the territory through a second-tier system for Abuja.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Media Coordinator, Karu Gbagyi Youths Development Association (KAGBADA), Mr. Sumner Shagari Sambo.

The statement revealed that the leaders made the call at the 2017 edition of the annual Karu Chiefdom Cultural Festival which took place in Karu, Abuja on Monday.

Speaking on behalf of the political leaders of the territory while addressing the gathering, Senate Minority Whip, Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda, who is also the Talban Karu, said the time had come for all Nigerians to support the Abuja natives in getting a second-tier system that would enable the people to govern themselves through the election of a Governor, Mayor or howsoever called.

Senator Aduda said the National Assembly had resumed work on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution to pave way for the democratisation of governance and administration in the FCT.

“We are appealing to our colleagues at the National Assembly, legislators in the 36 states Houses of Assembly and the Federal Government to support the new constitution review on the status of the FCT when the amendment is concluded and passed around for concurrence so that we can have a sustainable and democratic second-tier system of governance in Abuja.”

Chairman of the occasion and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Professor Andrew Zamani, also harped on the need for the Federal Government not to take the patience of Abuja natives for granted as the people are tired of constantly having ministers imposed on them without the option of them electing their administrators.

“The advent of Abuja culminated in the dispersal of our people. Out of goodwill, not out of conquest, our people welcomed the Federal Government. It culminated also in our extension of friendship to our brothers and sisters from other parts of Nigeria. But what have we received in return? It is spite and contempt. It is really highly unfortunate. We therefore call on our brothers and sisters who joined us today to celebrate our common humanity and unity to ensure that we enjoy the prosperity of the land usurped from us alongside other Nigerians.”

Other speakers at the event included the member representing Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC)/Bwari Federal Constituency, Honourable Zaphaniah Jisalo who said the two members representing the territory will join hands with Senator Aduda and other sympathetic federal legislators to push for a constitution review that will be acceptable by political leaders and all Nigerians.

On his part, Chairman of AMAC, Honourable Abdullahi Adamu Candido, urged Nigerians resident in Abuja to support natives in their quest for self-governance in the territory especially due to the hospitality shown them by the original inhabitants of the FCT.

He also praised the organisers of the cultural festival for not only making it a Gbagyi cultural festival but for also including other indigenous tribes within FCT and ethnicities from all over Nigeria.

Traditional rulers at the event praised their people especially the political leaders who they said are beginning to appreciate the need for unity of all tribes and political groups in Abuja.

The host and Sakaruyi of Karu Chiefdom, His Royal Highness, Emmanuel Kyauta Yepwi said “we are still like orphans in Abuja and if we don’t bring ourselves in unity, and be fighting a reasonable cause, I think we shall not reach anywhere.”

Visiting Esu of New Karu in Nasarawa State, His Royal Highness, Luka Panya Baba, admonished the nine indigenous tribes in FCT to live peacefully and support each other in their quest for self-administration. He also talked about the proposed museum project for the entire Gbagyi race to be sited in Abuja.

“I want to encourage all Gbagyi sons and daughters at this forum to work towards the success of this project. The trustees of the project are spread across various states in the country from Niger, Kaduna, Kwara, Kogi and many more states. We count on all the Gbagyi people in Nigeria to queue into this project.”

Karu Youth President, Mr. Dangana Jimiko, in his address said the cultural festival is an annual event organised by the Karu Gbagyi Youths Development Association (KAGBADA) with representation from Nyanya, Jikwoyi, Kugbo, Gbagalape, Dagbadna and other villages under Karu chiefdom.

This year’s edition had representatives from the FCT administration, the Ona of Abaji and goodwill messages were also delivered by the Member representing Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Honourable Gaza Gbefwi.

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