By Thomas Sylvanus Ayeyilo
Let’s establish a fundamental truth: bitter realities must be spoken, and hard conversations must be had. But what is the reality and Hope of the indigenous people of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)? Are we victims of systemic neglect? Have we been robbed in broad daylight, fed with pretentious words of hope, while our expectations for a better future remain unfulfilled?
Across all six area councils in the Abuja, I have repeatedly heard the same complaints from our people most especially the young people—the original inhabitants of the FCT. We speak of how our communities have been sidelined, how our leadership continues to fail us, and how the federal government has persistently denied us our rights.
The nine original tribes of the FCT have faced years of marginalization, from lack of access to essential social amenities to systemic exclusion from political representation and government appointments.
It is in Gbagyi land that a native of the FCT, in search of a white-collar job, is questioned by fellow Nigerians: “How did you even hear about this opportunity?” or “How did you manage to secure a job in this agency?” As though we are outsiders in our own homeland! Yet, rather than being passive victims of these injustices, we must take responsibility for our future.
Reclaiming Our Identity and Power
The time has come for us to readdress grassroots issues, rebuild our unity, and form a strong, unbreakable system among ourselves. I direct this message especially to our youth and those already in leadership positions. Sadly, even among us, there are divisions. Some indigenous groups are sidelined from critical discussions, and opportunities meant for our people are hoarded by a privileged few.
How painful it is to proudly say you are an indigene of Abuja, yet there is nothing you can truly call yours. In many cases, we do not even have a voice in decisions concerning our own land. Consider the case of Tunga Maje, where the military forcefully took over large portions of our land.
Our people were relocated from the city center to rural areas, stripped of their ancestral homes without robust compensation. We have been denied federal job slots, our farmlands have been seized and sold to real estate developers, and we have been suppressed into poverty—all in the very land that should be ours.
The reality is that we, the indigenous people of the FCT, have become corporate beggars in our own home. No authority, no influence, no fair compensation. And yet, we hear endless complaints about our own leaders. While it is good to hold them accountable, lamenting alone will not solve our problems. Worse still, if we do not take deliberate steps now, the next generation of indigenous leaders—our own youth—may repeat the same cycle of neglect and failure.
A Call to Action
If we cannot even hold our area councils accountable for honesty and transparency, how do we expect the federal government to listen to us? We are approaching another election season, and once again, we are watching and waiting to see who will be chosen to represent us. But are we actively shaping this process? Are we ensuring that young leaders with integrity and credibility rise to positions of influence?
In my small encounters across government agencies in Abuja, I hardly see our people. Yet, we have capable, intelligent individuals who can create space for others and ensure our inclusion in national development. Take, for instance, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Youth Parliament Assembly—how many indigenous FCT youths are actively involved? How many are championing policies that favor our communities?
It is time to stop undermining one another. We must recognize and embrace each other’s talents, work in unity, and lift each other up. True leadership is about service, not just self-interest. The lesser man is blessed by the greater man, but when the greater man constantly looks down on others, he may never realize the potential hidden within them.
The Leaders We Need
There are two types of leaders:
1. Those who have money but lack vision.
2. Those who have vision but lack financial power.
Which of these do you think will go far? A leader with vision, even with limited resources, will eventually find a way to uplift his people. But what about those who have not even begun their journey to leadership? Will they be given a chance to climb?
We cannot predict everything, but we must act. Success is never handed to anyone on a platter. However, no matter the hardships we face, we must not allow pain to divide us. Instead, let us support one another, create opportunities for our people, and ensure that the future of the indigenous people of the FCT is one of empowerment, dignity, and progress.
It is time to rise beyond mere complaints and take decisive action. Our land, our future, and our dignity are at stake. Let’s stand together and reclaim what rightfully belongs to us.
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