(Quick News Africa)- Natives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the aegis of the Original Inhabitants Development Association (OIDA) on Tuesday said that Abuja will become autonomous if Nigeria happens to break up.
They, however, declared their support for a united Nigeria based on proper devolution of government powers rather than dismemberment of the nation as canvassed by “separatist groups calling for secession.”
In a statement issued in Abuja by Pastor Danladi Jeji, who is the president of OIDA, the association said, should the country divide, they will seek an independent status by asking the United Nations to govern the 8,000 square kilometer territory through a transitional arrangement until it can become an autonomous city-state with socio-political and economic sovereignty.
The natives canvassed support for the federal government even but demand for more devolution of powers to the FCT and state governments, as the centre, they said, was too powerful.
They also lamented that they have watched with dismay as federal authorities and security agencies look on, while separatist groups enjoyed a field day calling for dismemberment of Nigeria or giving quit notices to fellow Nigerians.
The group said it was set to organize a pan-FCT meeting of all elected and non-elected officials, traditional rulers, women, youth and civil society groups to bring out a position paper on the recent agitations for the restructuring of Nigeria.
In another development, the natives have kicked against the recent decision of the FCT minister, Muhammad Musa Bello, to close down all zonal land allocation offices in the six area councils, describing it as non-consultative.
