By Sarah NEGEDU
Indigenous communities in the Federal Capital Territory have called for urgent reforms to strengthen traditional institutions, insisting that empowered chiefs and local councils are critical for translating government projects into real benefits for grassroots residents.
The appeal was made Sunday at a press briefing by Comrade Simon Baba Yerima, Madaiki of Kpaduma II and Kpaduma Community General Secretary, speaking on behalf of Abuja’s indigenous communities.
Yerima highlighted the contrast between the current administration and past governments, which often sidelined local voices in decision-making.
The communities while pointing to recent interventions in settlement relocations as evidence of a more inclusive approach, passed a vote of confidence in FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, praising his “dramatic and unprecedented” efforts in infrastructure and security across the territory.
According to Yerima, “We have seen a very, very dramatic and unprecedented development of FCT entirely, in every facet you think of,” Yerima said. “Not just the infrastructural development alone, we have seen the aspect of security has drastically reduced in FCT… we can say 99% so far.”
He recalled how previous administrations ignored community pleas over resettlement, leading to litigations and stalled projects. “But I tell you the truth, we have seen the light of the day by the present administration,” he said.
Yerima cited the Kpaduma community as a case in point, where residents were relocated to a virgin land within their ancestral domain to make way for a road corridor project.
“The Minister approved, the layout has been done. We have been given our allocation papers,” he said, quoting Wike: “I will not despise you from your original settlement… We can’t go and be strangers in other land.”
Building on this goodwill, Yerima stressed the need for the government to invest in traditional institutions. “The traditional institution is actually the foundation of every government and governance. Strengthening it will go a long way in achieving our democratic dividends and ensuring that development reaches the grassroots. Our traditional institutions before now are very, very weak in terms of funding or welfare. By taking this as a priority, the populace will participate and have renewed hope at the grassroots.”
On the forthcoming Area Council elections, Yerima urged unity among indigenous political aspirants and called for representatives who will prioritize the needs of the people over partisan interests.
“It’s not about political party… let’s have representation, no matter on whichever political platform,” he said.
