By Omoniyi David
As preparations intensify for the 2026 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), indigenous youths of Abuja have renewed their demand for political, economic, and cultural inclusion, citing years of marginalisation.
At a town hall meeting held in Kwali under the theme “Strengthening FCT Indigenous Community Voices in Key Governance Processes,” the Abuja Original Inhabitants Youths Empowerment Organisation (AOIYEO), called for greater representation and recognition of the original custodians of Nigeria’s capital.
AOIYEO Project Manager, Abubakar Ahmed, said the elections present a critical opportunity for indigenes to assert their rights and influence governance.
“We seek a more inclusive and equitable environment where the voices of the marginalised are not only heard but acted upon,” he said.
President of the FCT Stakeholders Assembly, Aliyu Kwali, urged reforms that go beyond rhetoric, calling for policies shaped by indigenous voices.
AOIYEO President, Isaac David, decried the historical injustices suffered by FCT indigenes, including statelessness, land dispossession, and underrepresentation.
“Despite being custodians of the land, we have faced cultural erasure and political neglect. It’s time to demand a seat at the table,” he said.
Legal advocate James Ndeye called for constitutional redress to end disenfranchisement, while retired AIG Aminu Pai stressed the need for collective action to tackle insecurity in the FCT and surrounding communities.
The youth organisation urged government agencies and policymakers to commit to inclusive reforms that prioritise indigenous rights and development.
