Category: Abuja Review

Worried by increase in criminal activities around Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has removed over 500 illegal houses in Zamani village, Abuja. The FCTA Director, Development Control Department, Murkhtar Galadima, who spoke to reporters, said the operation was continuous.

He said, “We are demolishing illegal structures all over Abuja. There are over 500 illegal houses that were demolished today alone. It is just an allegation but it is not true. You could see that no houses were spared; it is only indigenous houses that were spared. Whether you give someone money, it doesn’t matter; that is why I said it is not true. Even those we marked, some people tried to cover up our markings and we removed those structures. We haven’t finished the exercise and we will finish it tomorrow.”

The Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring Inspection and Enforcement to the minister of FCT, Ikahro Attah, explained why the indigenous houses were spared. He said: “Yes, upon the directive of Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Malam Muhammad Bello that said all illegal expansion of indigenous villages should be halted immediately. Sadly, people who should have gotten legal lands in other parts of the city come to buy land here, with agreement written on foolscap sheets, believing that government would not come and when government comes, people will defend them. We discovered that many people invested wrongly in a very painful manner. We saw hundreds of structures that were illegally built; we had to remove them and restore the master plan and check in security and also nature development in the city.

“It is not true that the indigenous houses were demolished and the ones that were partly touched were immediately stopped. Anyone who said the indigenous houses were demolished is not serious. Even the non-indigenes are very angry that we didn’t touch the indigenous houses. The indigenes are the ones that have rights because we met them in Abuja and until when they are resettled and compensated, the other ones don’t have rights and they invested their funds wrongly.”

Ganiyu Musa, who was one of those affected, lamented about being treated as a second-class citizen. “I bought from the community chief and I believe a community chief has some rights to sell small land. When they came, they didn’t mark my house. They didn’t touch my house; I was not at home. Nobody talked to anybody; I wasn’t around and they demolished my house as if I am not a Nigerian. I want the government to know we are all Nigerians and when elections come, they would expect us to vote. I won’t vote again. The government should know that we cannot all stay in highbrow areas and they should remember that their cooks, drivers, and house helps live in areas like this.”

This is certainly not the best of times for residents of Lugbe, Piwoyi, Kuchigoro and other communities in Abuja, the Federal Capital territory, as incessant power outages are making living and running businesses difficult, report JOHN OFIKHENUA and GBENGA OMOKHUNU

Constant power outages, sometimes lasting one week at a stretch, have become the order of the day for residents of Lugbe, Piwoyi, Kuchigoro and its environs. Findings by Abuja Review revealed that there is a decline in the performance of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed concern over epileptic electricity supply by the management of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC). A cross-section of Lugbe residents told Abuja Review that they have been experiencing poor electricity supply in recent months. A welder, Mr Dayo Owolabi, who spoke with our correspondent, said lack of stable electricity supply in the area has continued to affect his work, saying he now depends on gas to do his job. He said the electricity situation in the area has worsened in the last one month, resulting in declining income for him.

“As you can see, these doors and windows are for a supply to a contractor, which at least if there is power supply I will make some savings, but I have to go use gas welding to meet the deadline. Even when they bring light, it will hardly stay up to two hours and they will bring it only at night. Sometimes I rush back to my workshop in the night to work,” he said.

Another resident, Mr. Johnbosco Arachie, who resides at Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) quarters in Federal Housing, said the poor electricity supply was affecting both social and economic activities in the area. He said the majority of the residents mostly use generators at their homes and business premises. Another resident, Mr. Lazarus James, who runs a sachet water business, also lamented the epileptic power supply in the area, saying it has been affecting his business. He said despite spending between N2,000 to N3,000 daily on diesel for his generator, AEDC officials still bring bills to him.

James, therefore, called on the management of the AEDC to address the problem of electricity supply in the area, saying the poor power supply has been affecting not only his pure water business but residents who depend on the electricity to cater for their family. “For example, a welder or a saloon hair dresser who depends on the supply to run his business may be having a problem because not all of them can afford to buy fuel for their generators,” he said.

A barbing saloon owner, Abubakar Ibrahim, who also spoke with our reporter, said lack of stable electricity supply has always been his major challenge. He said he spent between N1000 to N1,200 in a week on his generator in order to attend to his customers. He complained that the estate has been witnessing epileptic power supply for the past three weeks, saying electricity is only restored sometimes for one or two hours.

Mr. Umaru Suleiman, a resident of Kwali area council, also complained of poor electricity supply in the area, saying the absence of electricity has been affecting business and activities in the area. He alleged that residents were forced to pay high electricity bills despite a lack of stable electricity supply in the area. Another respondent, Mr Anthony Ifemenoku, said the irony of the situation was that while those that usually paid bills were most times not supplied electricity, people in shanties who do not pay get regular electricity supply. Mrs. Mary Oni, another resident, said the situation was not only affecting business activities, but also demoralising business owners. Mr. Hyacinth Ifeakanwan, who owns a barbing saloon in the area, said he spends a lot of money on fuel in order to remain in business, adding that he had to push part of the cost to his customers.

As power outage plunged the country and its economy into unbelievable liabilities and regret, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has vowed to restore normalcy in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) as soon as possible. The regulator said it is getting in touch with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Electricity Generation Companies (GenCos), Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), and gas suppliers to ensure that the industry is at its optimal out.

NERC’s General Manager, Public Affairs Department, Dr Usman Arabi, who spoke with The Nation yesterday, said the Federal Government and its agencies are not happy about the negative impact, which lack of power supply has had on businesses in the country. He however noted that the recent setback that aggravated the plights of both service providers and customers was the vandalisation of some the TCN towers. Arabi also blamed the situation on the seasonal low water levels that hamper the production of the hydroelectric generation companies from January to April.

His words: “Government is doing a lot. NERC is doing a lot. We are working with the gas providers, the Ministry of Power, and all the stakeholders to ensure that normalcy is restored. You are in the sector, you know that January, February, March and April, we always have these issues because of lack of water supply in our dams. We are working with everybody; the gas providers, the GenCos, the DisCos to make sure that normalcy is restored. Government is not happy that businesses are having issues. We are doing everything possible to ensure that we are an optimal level.

“Of course, you know the issue of vandalisation there. There is a lot of vandalisation in the TCN. So those things have also affected it and basically with the issue of generation. They are working. TCN is working assiduously to make sure that those towers are back to service and normalcy is restored.” On the other hand, the TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, neither answered the call nor replied the text message that sought the company’s part of the story.

The present epileptic power supply, fuel scarcity and heatwave in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, appear to be taking a toll on residents. For many of the residents, the heat may be nearing unbearable levels as they could not sleep at night. The country has, in the past weeks, experienced one of its fiercest fuel scarcity caused by the importation of adulterated petrol. The situation has left many fuel pumps dry, with only a few filling stations running below capacity as the government tries to restore unified fuel distribution.

The situation bites even harder where electricity supply has been epileptic and residents are no longer able to afford to power their generators due to fuel scarcity, which has brought about long queues and exorbitant price of petrol in the black market. The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) had explained that the persistent poor power supply was due to the low generation currently experienced nationwide.

Earlier in February, AEDC had, in a message to customers, explained that the interruption was due to poor supply from the national grid. “Dear Customer, please note that the interruptions of electricity supply you are currently experiencing is due to the instability of supply from the National Grid due to low Generation.”

It was gathered that despite the unpredictability, daily load allocation to Abuja hovered around 400 megawatts in the first week of March, a figure not much different from daily allocations transmitted to the territory in January and February. Though parts of Abuja have experienced light rains in the past few days, the relief is only momentary as the temperature changes almost immediately.

A cross section of FCT residents, who spoke with our correspondents, expressed displeasure over what they described as ‘hell on earth.’ According to them, the scarcity of fuel and the epileptic power supply have changed the situation of living, especially as the heat period is at its peak. Some residents across the city who also spoke with our correspondents say sleeping at night has become awful due to the intolerable weather condition.

A resident in Kuje, John Olowolayemo, said: “Things are getting worse every day in this country. I think there is conspiracy somewhere. If not, how could one explain this ‘double-edged sword.’ No fuel, no light, and the weather is hot. I don’t sleep well at night because of the hot weather.

“Yesterday, I went to an NNPC filling station. The petrol attendant refused to sell to us in gallons and so I couldn’t power my generator and my children could not sleep due to the heat. It is not funny at all.”

Another resident, Precious Chukwu, said the power supply in her area has been epileptic in the past two weeks. “We don’t have light in the Low-cost housing estate in Kuje. It is not easy for us. Besides the heat, prices of all perishable commodities have gone up due to scarcity of fuel. You suffer struggling to get your daily bread. After the day’s hustling, you come home; yet no light (electricity) for you to have a good night rest.”

Also, Musa Ibrahim, a resident of Lokogoma, said the heat is unbearable with lack of electricity to add to it. His words: “It would have been easy if I could leave my windows or door open but the thought of that is terrifying as our area is not secured. Thieves are always disturbing us. The last incident was when a lady in my area left her door open. She slept off and by morning her phones and other valuables were gone.”

According to the 2022 Season Climate Prediction, rainfall is expected to commence between April and May in the central states, and eventually from June or July in the northern states. On temperature across the country, the agency predicted daytime and night-time temperatures for the months of January to April, from which the country is projected to expect warmer January, cooler days in February over the North but warmer nights over the South.

It further predicted warmer days over the North and cooler nights around the South for the month of March; while April is forecasted to experience warmer daytime temperatures and cooler than long-term average night-time temperatures. Prediction on the hot season also comes with an advisory for malaria and meningitis vigilance.

While this is going on, generator business has been booming as a result of power outrage. Sellers are now smiling to the bank. Speaking with Abuja Review on the effect and medical advice, Dr. Laz Eze, a public health specialist said: “The high temperature in Abuja is not new. At this time of the year, we usually experience very high temperatures; not only in Abuja but also in some other parts of Nigeria. Within Abuja, you have a higher temperature within the Gwagwalada axis going towards Lokoja. Some might say it is climate change or just part of the weather condition. Perhaps, climate change is playing out or other environmental factors.

“The human body needs water. When the temperature is hot, the body loses water in various ways: through sweating, talking through the breath. Drinking water often this season is actually good for our health. When you don’t do that, a number of things may happen. You may see that you are not passing urine as often as you should. This is not good for the system because the body filters a number of toxic substances out of the body through the urine.

“Another common thing that could happen over a long period of time when you are consistently not taking water to hydrate your system is what we call kidney stones. The kidney can form stones from dehydration and concentrated urine. These stones can grow bigger and cause a health emergency. In order to avoid that, you need to drink enough water. Also watch to make sure that your urine is clear. If it is yellow or too reddish, it suggests that you need to take more water.

“This hot temperature can also cause heat exhaustion. That is why you notice that you easily get tired when you trek under the sun. Heat cramps and choke can also happen. For some persons who already have some underlying health conditions, it may actually get worse.

“You need as much as three litres of water or more depending on the individual. If you are staying inside an air conditioner, you may not need as much water as somebody who is working under the sun. Some people may take as much as five litres in a day depending on the work they do

“People should also take their bath as much as possible, as part of skin care. During hot periods, bacteria on the skin could be increased through sweating. It can also cause body odour. Having your bath at least twice a day can help. Planting trees on a long term basis is important. Abuja did that very well.”

Dr Ugwu Chukwudi, a nutritionist and head of Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, said: “There are disease conditions that emanate as a result of heat such as meningitis. Residents need to make sure that their windows and doors are opened while sleeping. Also very important is that they must eat properly so that even if there is a problem with diseases like meningitis, the immune system can fight it.

“The way we construct our estates here is nothing to write home about; we don’t even have trees around that will help in the production of oxygen for people. We must learn the lesson not to build in every space we have in an estate. We need to create spaces for plants to have an airy environment. If you notice any heat related diseases like meningitis, you have to rush to the hospital for proper treatment and not manage it at home.

“We have to take cognizance of your environment. As much as you are advised to open your windows, you can still make nets so that rodents like snakes will not enter and create another issue for you. You know we are lacking electricity in Nigeria; so putting on your air conditioner or fans may not be possible. There is even fuel unavailability this period, while the ones available are exorbitant. If you cannot afford it, you make do with the manual hand fans. Once again, eating healthy is very important. You must at the same time reduce the consumption of alcohol and soft drinks. Drink enough water and juices from natural fruits.”

Itinerant scavengers dot the landscape in the city centre and adjoining satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They are lords of the filth. The ubiquitous scavengers, known to residents as Babambola, are daring and fatalistic in outlook. You confront them at your own peril. The FCT administration has tried in vain to push them out of the city centres and the suburbs where they run their patrol.

They are ready to do battle with you at the slightest provocation. They are law unto themselves; a government within a government. For Abuja residents, the fear of the scruffy, ill-clad scavengers is the beginning of wisdom. Those who dared them live with bitter tales of the encounter. They fight like hungry tigers, with nothing to lose. Even the overzealous law enforcement agents dread them, just as the impudent commercial bike riders give them a wide berth. With their oversized sacks straddled round their filthy carts, any item in sight, including power generators, can disappear in a twinkle of an eye.

Not only that. They also lay claim to the right of way on motor ways. And woe betides any motorist that attempts to shunt pass them during periods of traffic snarls. They find a den in the uncompleted buildings and undeveloped plots of land dotting the city centre and the satellite towns. And when owners of the uncompleted buildings and vacant lands are ready to commence work on their property, they have to find a way of cajoling the new ‘landlords’ to vacate the property, or get a truckload of armed policemen to flush them out. You can’t get the best of them through diplomacy or persuasion. It’s a classic case of he that is down needs fear no fall.

Operators of the popular Next Shopping Mall, which was gutted by fire a few weeks ago, can tell the story better. While the fire raged, the scavengers had swooped on the facility, helping themselves with whatever item they could salvage from the burning mall. The scavengers were busy picking “windfalls” from the ravaging inferno while owners of the retail outlet bemoaned their losses. Not even the presence of heavily-armed policemen who were drafted to the scene could deter them. Last week, residents of Utako village had a raw taste of what the scavengers could do. While bulldozers from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) were pulling down their illegal structures, the scavengers were on hand picking household items – to the chagrin of crestfallen owners.

The residents, obviously overwhelmed by the pain of the demolition, appeared helpless. It was double tragedy for the residents many of who were left stranded. One of the affected residents, a businessman, Moses Chekwa, told Abuja Review that he and his family members slept in the open space under a tree after the demolition. Chekwa expressed sadness over the situation, saying that they have no other place to call home. Explaining his predicament amid tears, he said: “They came and demolished my house. I couldn’t retrieve anything, not even my children’s clothes. As I stand here, I have nowhere to go neither clothes to wear. I don’t even have money to rent a house. I slept outside under the tree with my wife and children because I don’t have anywhere to go.

“They said N11million was given to compensate the people that their houses were marked and affected by the demolition. But we didn’t see any money and as a family man with children, I have kids, I pay my children school fees and take care of them. For now, no savings; we sell food for a living; no customers for now; only for me to come back yesterday to see my house demolished with all my property. They claimed they paid us money to vacate, but we didn’t get any money.”

Speaking about the menace of marauding scavengers, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Babaji Sunday, told our correspondent that the negative effect of scavengers in the FCT is getting worse by the day. Babaji, however, assured that the police are on giving them no respite. His words: “We are trailing them. We have sent signals to all the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and all area commanders to always get them arrested when they are seen around their areas. There is also a directive to that effect. The scavengers always go around in the daytime and steal people’s property. This is not encouraged and will never be tolerated in the FCT. We have been arresting many of them and charging them to court.”

Abuja residents will be waiting for the police action against the filthy lords. But can police win the war against these scavengers who have nothing to lose?

 

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has disclosed its partnership with the Islamic Development Bank to develop grazing reserves in the Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT. The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Aliyu, revealed this during the launch of Women Agro Processors Agricgen and Exporters Initiative and the Flag-off of the National Export Center in Abuja.

The Minister noted that more than ten thousand women and youth population within the FCT will be empowered in the grazing reserve project. The Minister, who was represented by the Secretary, Agricultural and Rural Development Secretariat, Malam Abubakar Ibrahim, further revealed that already, there are many investors in the area of meat processing, waste to gas and other sectors, adding that the authorities are also working with micro finance banks for cheap loans for women associations. She further hinted that, recently, over N34 million had been given to women associations in the FCT to boost farming activities. “Just last week, we launched green farming in the Gwagwalada Area Council where 600 women have been trained and starter packs given to them. Currently, they are undergoing their training, which will enable them stand on their own after they finish. The green farming training is a new technology which is a year-long programme that you can do at the back of your house if you have space.”

Aliyu also disclosed that the FCT had already given approval to the establishment of one each in the six Area Councils so that women can fully engage in farming activities. She added that approval had also been given for the establishment of an industrial park in in the territory. Her words: “This industrial park is going to be an all-year-round programme for women and youth where 100 hectares of land have been set aside for the project.” While explaining that the women will be grouped in clusters, she said they are going to be provided with all the necessary tools like a pumping machine, water carnal and others.

She pledged the administration commitment to work closely with the Women Agro Processors so that more women and youth can be empowered in the FCT. Earlier, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola said that FCT has over the years been consciously creating the enabling environment for agro and allied business development through its Agricultural and Social Development Secretariats.

He stated that the administration is very much aware that the wealth and job creation potentials that are associated with agro value chain business are quite enormous. “And all of these can be productively harnessed, if our teeming youth and women embrace agriculture as a viable and sustainable means of earning income,” he said. The Permanent Secretary then encouraged leadership of WAPAGIEN, led by its President, Mrs. Esther Folasayo Adebayo to expand the scope of its membership, making it more inclusive of the rural women and girls involved in agro value chain ventures. On her part, the President, Women Agro Processors Agricgen and Exporters Initiative (WAPAGEIN), Mrs Esther Adebayo, urged state governments to establish farm settlements, clusters of agro producers including women and youths. She also enjoined the three tiers of should promote operation “feed yourself” by helping households to access information, and inputs that would encourage them to produce food around their houses to feed their families.

 

 

Gender equality, discrimination against women were the focus of the Association of Wives of Traditional Rulers (AWTR) as they join their counterparts across the world to celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD).

They also affirmed the importance of leaving nothing to chance in supporting the girl child in becoming literate in society.

Speaking during a press briefing to commemorate this year’s celebrations in Abuja, the President of AWTR, Hauwa Ibrahim, lamented the destruction that lack of education is causing in communities within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Ibrahim said: “While we appreciate stakeholders’ roles in the ongoing gender equality agitation, our appeal goes to all stakeholders to continuously advocate for more community reporting on gender-based violence and gender discrimination in our society, a move that will propel Nigeria to a better path of prosperity.

“The month of March is a month for celebrating women globally. So, let’s take the necessary steps to remove all obstacles to gender equality and the advancement of women in the 17 chiefdoms,” she said.

She continued: “The National Assembly’s rejection of bills seeking gender equality, once again, brought to the fore the need to consistently speak against the oppression our patriarchal society imposes on women as well as the urgent need to revamp and purge any form of bias based on gender.”

Wife of Chief of Garki, Ambassador Hannatu Nga, stated: “Education is very important because before we brought our heads together in 17 chiefdoms to start this Association, we have been in pain. We didn’t know how to come out to express our feelings as mothers. This is one of the purposes of this association and also to get the support of the government because the government itself cannot reach the grassroots. So, we are like bridge-builders. About 80 per cent of us are educated.”

The Secretary of the Association, Halima Mohammed, said: “We cannot progress as a country without education. Secondly, for the woman to be able to take care of her family she has to be educated. We also have to educate our girl children so that they can also contribute their own quota to national development. The men cannot do it alone we have to put our hands together so that we can move the country forward

It was one of the bills that many stakeholders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) thought would sail through voting in the National Assembly. While it sailed through in the House of Representatives, it failed in the Senate. By implication, the bill to grant the FCT a Mayoral status failed and would not be part of those bills that will be sent to the state Houses of Assembly. TONY AKOWE reports

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and his Deputy, Ahmed Idris Wase, had to do some political lobbying to get bill number 60 which sought Mayoral Status for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to sail through after it failed on the first ballot with 233 votes. It needed 240 votes to sail through.

After a short explanation, the Speaker asked members to vote again, and this time, it got 245 votes to sail through in the House for the FCT to have an elected Chief Executive in the status of a Mayor. That effort ended in the trash can as the Senate rejected the bill.

What that meant was that it will not form part of the proposals to be sent to the state Houses of Assembly for concurrence.

In the bill, which sought to amend section 299 of the Constitution, the Mayor is to be granted all the powers of the governor which is currently exercised by the President through the Minister for the FCT.

The section, however, did not take into cognizance the legislative aspect as the National Assembly will continue to exercise the legislative authority over the city.

The House of Representatives also voted overwhelmingly for one that is indigenous to the FCT to be appointed minister of the Territory. The territory has never had the opportunity of being represented in the Federal Executive Council despite several court judgments on the issue. The Senate, again, rejected the proposal for a minister from the territory.

While the women whose bills were also rejected took to the streets to protest their exclusion, those indigenous to the FCT stayed back.

Highly placed sources close to the Original Inhabitants Development Association, a body of those indigenous to the FCT told The Nation that people of the territory were never in support of granting the FCT a Mayoral status as they believe that it will diminish the status of the FCT. The source believes that the Senator representing the FCT was actually on a wild goose chase as the people already told him their mind.

He said: “It’s a divisive and touchy issue as the Senator was on a wild goose chase and didn’t take heed to our group. OIDA doesn’t want a mayor as it runs contrary to what we already have in the Constitution in Section 299 of the 1999 Constitution which states that the FCT shall be treated as if it is a state.

Section 299 of the Constitution states: “The provisions of this Constitution shall apply to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja as if it were one of the states of the federation.

“We told the Senator that the FCT already has the trappings of a state and he should seek the enforcement and recognition of the FCT as a state in accordance with several court judgments affirming the FCT as a state. But he didn’t. He went on a wild goose chase for Mayoralty which is just a glorified local government Chairmanship system.”

Stressing why they are opposed to a Mayoral status for the FCT, the source said: “MAYOR, in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland is the head of a town, borough, or county council, elected by council members and generally having purely ceremonial duties.

“In the U.S., Canada, and certain other countries, he is the head of a municipal corporation, elected by the public. The FCT is 8,000sq kilometres and too large to be declared a mayoralty.

“In OIDA’s view, mayoralty could have just been for Abuja City Centre (1,500sq km), if they so wish to have it badly but not for the entire Territory.

“But the Senator didn’t want to listen and was blinded by his own ambition to be the first Mayor of the FCT. We told him in 2016, and it failed. We also told him last year and now it has failed again.

“Our position paper is very clear on the status of the FCT and what the best practices should be. We submitted our memoranda to the Senate and House Committees, but he used his influence to shove aside our well-articulated and widely consulted memoranda.

“Unfortunately for him, we can’t support his wild goose chase. Even if the National Assembly had passed it, it would have been killed by state Houses of Assembly in the Northern states.”

The Nation was also informed that the Presidency has always been against the FCT having an elected Chief Executive for the entire territory.

The Source said: “The Presidency also doesn’t want an elective chief executive for the FCT as they don’t want another party different from that of the President to always be in charge of the FCT.

“Goodluck Jonathan told us this around 2013 and the Buhari government has also told us that in several meetings. Also, the Nigerian elites see the FCT as the inky safe haven in the country and where they can feel relaxed without being threatened with ethnicity issues and have secured investments, as such, they feel more at home with the Federal Government (President) being in control of the capital city despite that the governance system remains a crap and a military contraption that is still with us.”

A close look at the memoranda presented by the Original Inhabitants revealed that they made it clear that they were not in support of a Mayoral seat for the FCT.

Rather, they advocated for a Mayor for Abuja City, the status of a state for the territory and the creation of additional local government areas, three senatorial districts and six federal constituencies for the FCT as well as an FCT House of Assembly.

They sought to be given the status of a fully-fledged state just like other states of the country in view of the constitutional status it is supposed to enjoy.

Justifying their position, they referred to the Court of Appeal on the status of the FCT which it has never enjoyed. In the judgment, Justice Raphael Rowland in 2005 said: “By virtue of Section 299 of the Constitution of the Federation, the Federal Capital Territory is, in law, a state.

“In other words, the Federal Capital Territory should be treated as one of the states in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It follows, therefore, that bodies such as the Federal Capital Development Authority are to be regarded as an agency of a ‘state’ independent of the Federal Government… “Section 299 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 has clear and unambiguous provisions to the effect that the Federal Capital Territory is in law a state.

“It is a law that where the provision of a statute is clear and unambiguous only its natural meaning will suffice. There are a plethora of cases on this point.”