southern groups agitating for separate countries at the moment. Like Kosovo, we shall seek the United Nations’ administrative, civil and military support to declare an autonomous status of self-government.
“In our earlier memoranda to the National Assembly and National Conference, we asked for a constitutional amendment to allow for more governmental structures, proper interpretation and implementation of Sections 147, 299, 300, 301 and 302 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) so that FCT natives and residents can elect their governor, have a minister, have three senators, six House of Representative Members, seventeen area councils and an FCT House of Assembly among other demands.
Also, we demanded that the demolition and confiscation of homes, settlements and farmlands belonging to original inhabitants of Abuja should be stopped forthwith, unless where and when compensation and resettlement is duly undertaken in accordance with the provisions of Sections 44 and 297 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”
The group also kicked against the recent decision of the FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello to close down all zonal land allocation offices in the six area councils within the FCT describing the action as callous and non-consultative but with the capacity to infuriate natives thereby leading to a breach of public peace. We maintain that these lands are within the purview of the local councils and their chairmen.
It added, “We call for an immediate reversal of the policy by the FCT administration as it will be too burdensome for our people to always be coming from interior communities to Area eleven for minor land disputes that should ordinarily be settled by land officials at local levels. Moreover, this action runs contrary to the provisions of the Land Use Act of 1978 and several judgments against the FCT administration in the past.
“The Supreme Court has clearly stated in its judgment that Customary Land Title has not been abolished by the FCT Act via case number SC/187/2000 filed by Abaji Area Council against the Ministry of Federal Capital Territory with judgment delivered on 27th November 2000 by Justice SMA Belgore. Hence, there is no justifiable reason for closing down such zonal land offices in the first instance.”
The group demanded that the Minister include FCT natives in the FCT Land Allocation Committee and advised him to always consult with all relevant elected, traditional and civil society organizations like OIDA before taking such critical decisions so as to prevent public disorder.
