You are neglecting our chiefs, FCT natives tell Wike

The indigenous people of the FCT under the auspices of the Abuja Original Inhabitants Youth Empowerment Organisation (AOIYEO) have slammed FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for allegedly neglecting traditional rulers and indigenous stakeholders.

The President of AOIYEO, Commandant Isaac David, expressed the grievance on behalf of the indigenes during a press briefing on Monday.

David questioned why Wike found time to visit traditional rulers across all local government areas in Rivers State but failed to pay a single courtesy visit to traditional rulers in the FCT since assuming office.

David noted that since his appointment, Wike had failed to visit any royal palace in the FCT or hold meaningful consultations with community elders, youth leaders or women’s groups across the six area councils.

He said, “These traditional stakeholders constitute the backbone of grassroots administration and sociocultural cohesion in the territory. These are the people whose guidance and support are crucial for governance and community development, yet the FCT minister seems to have completely ignored them.”

The AOIYEO president noted that such lack of engagement had bred resentment among Original Inhabitants (OIs) and residents who felt marginalised within their own ancestral lands.

He specifically questioned the minister’s decision to spend the recent festive season visiting traditional rulers in Rivers rather than engaging with the leadership in his current jurisdiction.

He said, “During the Christmas and New Year celebrations, while residents and traditional rulers in the six FCT area councils waited for his recognition or invitation, Wike was busy visiting other states. This neglect raises serious questions: does he see the people of the FCT as important only during election cycles?”

David criticised what he described as a “pattern of neglect and political expediency,” arguing that Wike’s sudden interest in traditional rulers outside the FCT appeared to be a politically motivated gesture.

He said, “It seems the minister is only interested in the people when political calculations demand it. Since he has not valued the people of the FCT from the beginning of his administration, we must ask: will he genuinely care about them now just because an election is approaching?”

He expressed concern over the apparent disregard for the input of FCT traditional rulers in policy and development decisions.

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