BY Tunde Johnson, Abuja
Coalition of FCT indigenous Association has urged the National Assembly to prevail on the federal government to implement the Appeal Court judgment between Musa Baba Panya and the federal government.
In a statement signed by Dada Christopher, the natives demand immediate implementation of the judgment by appointing an indigene of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) into the federal executive council.
The statement noted that failure to implement the judgment is tantamount to mockery of democracy and disrespect to the rule of law.
The judgment made available to Elendu Reports with Appeal No: CA/A/412/2016 by Justice Komolafe JCA, declared “That Federal Capital Territory natives are entitled to ministerial representation in the federal executive council as provided by the combined provisions of sections 147, 299, 14(3) and 42 of the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.
“That the persistent denial and refusal of past and current Presidents to so appoint an indigene of FCT Abuja as a minister in the federal executive council since may, 1999 is tantamount to a gross violation of the said constitutional right against discrimination.
“That the President should with immediate effect appoint FCT native as a minister of the federal republic of Nigeria,” it stated.
Submitting the letter to the national assembly, the coordinator FCT Coalition of Indigenous Association, Kamal Adamu Shuaibu and his deputy Ezekiel Dalhatu said the natives have suffered political marginalisation for over four decades.
Receiving the letter on behalf of the Senate President, Bukola Sarki, Senator Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central and Theodore Orji, representing Abia Central pledged to ensure that the natives get their constitutional rights.
Sani lamented that it is unfair for FCT natives, who have given their land for the establishment of the Federal Capital Territory not to be given a voice at the federal executive council.
He noted that the senate would prevail on the president to ensure that the next list of nominee for ministerial appointment will have a native of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Elendu Reports report that the natives carried placards with inscription such as indeed judiciary is the last hope of a common man, let the rule of law prevail, NASS persuade PMB to implement the appeal court ruling, Enough of an FCT native absence at FEC meeting, we have sacrificed enough, we should be motivated and not marginalised and others.
