Comply with court judgement by appointing FCT native as minister – Reps tells Tinubu

By Sadiq Abubakar, Abuja.

The house of representatives has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to comply with the judgement of the court of Appeal by appointing a native of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as minister.

The call was made following adoption of a motion by the House of representatives member for Abuja south federal constituency, Hon Abdulrahman Ajiya, (APC) and Hon Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi at a plenary on Thursday, in which the lower legislative chamber passed the resolution.

Our correspondent recalled that in January 2018, a court of Appeal in Abuja, ruled that indigenous people of the FCT are entitled to ministerial slots as provided by the combined provisions of sections 147(3), 299, 14(3) & 42 of the 1999 constitution.

The court also declared that the refusal to appoint an native of FCT as minister constitutes a gross violation of the provisions of the constitution on their fundamental human rights.

While leading the debate on the motion on Thursday, Hon Ajiya, however, said despite the clear provisions of the constitution and the court judgment, natives of the FCT have not been represented in the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

He said the development amounts to “alienation, marginalisation, and underrepresentation” of the FCT natives.

According to him, the equitable representation of all regions, communities and groups in government is necessary for national cohesion, stability and development.

The motion, was, therefore, voted for when it was put to a voice vote by the speaker of the house of representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas.

Subsequently, the lawmakers called on the federal government to comply with the judgment of the court of appeal and urged the president to appoint a native of FCT as a minister “in line with the constitutional obligation to treat all Nigerians equitably”.

The house also resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the “rationale behind the exclusion of FCT indigenes from ministerial nominees by successive governments” despite the ruling of the court.

Comply with court judgement by appointing FCT native as minister – Reps tells Tinubu

By Sadiq Abubakar, Abuja.

The house of representatives has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to comply with the judgement of the court of Appeal by appointing a native of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as minister.

The call was made following adoption of a motion by the House of representatives member for Abuja south federal constituency, Hon Abdulrahman Ajiya, (APC) and Hon Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi at a plenary on Thursday, in which the lower legislative chamber passed the resolution.

Our correspondent recalled that in January 2018, a court of Appeal in Abuja, ruled that indigenous people of the FCT are entitled to ministerial slots as provided by the combined provisions of sections 147(3), 299, 14(3) & 42 of the 1999 constitution.

The court also declared that the refusal to appoint an native of FCT as minister constitutes a gross violation of the provisions of the constitution on their fundamental human rights.

While leading the debate on the motion on Thursday, Hon Ajiya, however, said despite the clear provisions of the constitution and the court judgment, natives of the FCT have not been represented in the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

He said the development amounts to “alienation, marginalisation, and underrepresentation” of the FCT natives.

According to him, the equitable representation of all regions, communities and groups in government is necessary for national cohesion, stability and development.

The motion, was, therefore, voted for when it was put to a voice vote by the speaker of the house of representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas.

Subsequently, the lawmakers called on the federal government to comply with the judgment of the court of appeal and urged the president to appoint a native of FCT as a minister “in line with the constitutional obligation to treat all Nigerians equitably”.

The house also resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the “rationale behind the exclusion of FCT indigenes from ministerial nominees by successive governments” despite the ruling of the court.