The Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED) has called on the international community to address the ongoing plight of the indigenous people of Abuja, who are grappling with challenges related to land ownership, political representation, and cultural preservation.
Dr. Ibrahim Mualeem Zikirullahi, Executive Director of CHRICED, made this appeal on Tuesday at the 17th session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. He emphasized the dire situation faced by the Abuja Original Inhabitants (OIs), which includes nine tribes and seventeen chiefdoms.
Struggles of Abuja’s Indigenous Communities
Dr. Zikirullahi highlighted that the Abuja Original Inhabitants are at risk of extinction due to issues such as landlessness, statelessness, and cultural erosion. Despite some positive developments, such as the appointment of an Abuja native as a minister and the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, CHRICED pointed out that these new governance structures still lack adequate representation from the indigenous people.
Continued Marginalization and Injustice
The organization expressed concerns over the ongoing demolition of indigenous settlements, lack of access to basic infrastructure, and the denial of political rights. The indigenous people of Abuja have been fighting for recognition and rights since the city was declared the capital in 1976. Even with court rulings in their favor, their grievances remain unaddressed by the authorities.
Call for Diplomatic Intervention
“We presented the case of over 2.5 million Indigenous people, known as the Abuja Original Inhabitants (OIs) of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), consisting of nine tribes and seventeen chiefdoms, who are facing challenges of landlessness, statelessness, and the extinction of their culture. We stressed that without rectifying the injustice done to them, their future remains very bleak,” Dr. Zikirullahi stated.
He acknowledged the progress made but lamented that almost all the principal officers of the new governance structures are non-natives, which means they may not represent the interests of the indigenous people. “The Nigerian government has failed to uphold its commitments to respect and protect the rights of the Abuja indigenous people,” he added. “Presently, many indigenous communities in Abuja still lack access to essential health and educational facilities, as well as basic infrastructure such as roads, clean water, and sanitation.”
Denial of Political Rights
Dr. Zikirullahi also underscored the political disenfranchisement of the indigenous people, noting, “Unlike other Nigerian citizens, the indigenous people of Abuja are still denied the right to vote for a Governor and a State House of Assembly, despite being citizens of their own country.”
A Call to Action
“We urge this body to amplify the voices and struggles of the indigenous people in Abuja, Nigeria, through diplomatic intervention. We demand a stop to the violation of their rights to belonging, history, and legacy,” Dr. Zikirullahi declared. He called on the international community to pressure the Nigerian government to address these long-standing issues and ensure justice for the Abuja indigenous people.