The FCT High Court has adjourned the hearing of the main application filed by Abuja natives against the Federal Government and the National Assembly. The application seeks to establish FCT functionaries and political structure to enable indigenes to participate in House of Assembly and governorship elections. The case was filed by the Registered Trustees of Abuja Original Inhabitants Youth Empowerment Organization against the President of Nigeria under suit no: fct/hc/cv/85/2023. The hearing of the main application for enforcement of the applicant’s fundamental rights to the dignity of person and freedom from discrimination is set for July 13, 2023.
Counsel to the FCT natives, Barr. James Nadeye, revealed that the hearing could not proceed as scheduled because the 1st and 3rd respondents are the President and Attorney General, and sought an adjournment to enable them to file and serve the applicant their responses. The court granted them the chance and time to do so since the National Assembly had earlier filed their responses.
Hajiya Farida Suleiman, a major stakeholder of the FCT, lamented that the case is proceeding slowly and that the natives expected a speedy resolution. She also expressed the desire for neighboring states to be reached out to so that Nigerians would know that FCT natives are not benefiting from other states, but rather neighboring states are benefiting from FCT. Suleiman reiterated that all FCT natives want is their rightful space in the decision-making table of the land and their political rights as citizens of the country.
The Attorney Generals from other states have also been invited to participate in the case as most of them are indigenous people of FCT, formerly belonging to other states. Their involvement will help to shed more light on the plight of FCT indigenes and the need for them to have their political rights restored.
In conclusion, the hearing of the case filed by Abuja natives against the Federal Government and the National Assembly for the establishment of FCT functionaries and political structure has been adjourned to July 13, 2023. The natives are seeking to participate in House of Assembly and governorship elections, and their fundamental rights to dignity of person and freedom from discrimination must be enforced. The involvement of Attorney Generals from other states will help to ensure a speedy resolution of the issues faced by FCT indigenes