Nigeria: Middle Belt Forum Demands Statehood For FCT

….Wants Pres. Tinubu To Address Long-standing Injustice.

By Joseph Edegbo

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), has reaffirmed its solidarity with  the indigenous people of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in their ongoing demand for their constitutional and universal human rights, which have been denied over time.

The Forum therefore demands for among others, Statehood, establishment of House of Assembly, resettlement and compensation and end to exploitation of lands.
The solidarity was re-echoed at the end of the Forum’s second meeting of 2025, chaired by its President, Dr. Bitrus Pogu.

In a statement issued by the Forum’s National  Spokesman, Luka Binniyat, the MBF commended the non-violent and civilized approach adopted by the Original Inhabitants Development Association (OIDA) of the FCT, led by Pastor Danladi Jeji, in advocating for their cause.
“It is important to note that the MBF serves as the umbrella socio-cultural body representing the ethnic nationalities of the Middle Belt, spanning 14 northern states of Nigeria, including the FCT.
“The NWC acknowledged that the FCT represents one of the biggest concessions made by the Middle Belt to the Nigerian state, as its original inhabitants ceded 8,000 square kilometers of their ancestral land—without opposition—to serve as the nation’s capital and a symbol of national unity.
“This decision was made under military rule and formalized through Decree 6 of 1976, during the tenure of General Murtala Mohammed. It was later incorporated into the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“/However, the meeting expressed deep concern over the misinterpretation and misapplication of this historic act of patriotism. Instead of being recognized as contributors to national unity, the original inhabitants of the FCT have been systematically marginalized, with government policies and actions making it appear as though they have forfeited their citizenship rights.
“The MBF views this as a dangerous development that must be urgently addressed through constitutional amendments to ensure a stable, peaceful, secure, and progressive FCT—both now and in the future.
“The Plight of the Original Inhabitants
During the meeting, Pastor Danladi Jeji briefed the NWC, revealing that 858 communities, predominantly belonging to the Gbagyi, Koro, Gede, Gwandara, Bassa, and Ganagana ethnic groups, have coexisted with their neighbors long before the 1914 amalgamation of Nigeria.
“He lamented that today, an estimated one million original inhabitants have lost their traditional homes, lands, and important historical and cultural landmarks to the Nigerian state without adequate compensation or recognition.
He further stated:
“The Federal Capital City (FCC) was built after 55 villages were displaced. Yet, to this day, not a single plot of land has been allocated to any original inhabitant of the FCC.”
MBF’s Key Observations
“After reviewing OIDA’s grievances, the MBF noted the following:
The original inhabitants of the FCT remain committed to a united Nigeria, but they demand a nation that is just and fair to all citizens, regardless of their place of birth.
“OIDA seeks an urgent resolution to its concerns, as the younger generation of FCT indigenes is becoming increasingly restless, having been rendered stateless in their own land, with no hope for their future amid poverty and deprivation.
“The group calls on Nigerians and the international community to empathize with their plight and pressure both the Presidency and the National Assembly to review their status in the Nigerian Constitution.

MBF’s Demands
“The NWC of the MBF urges all stakeholders in the Nigerian project to take the plight of the original inhabitants of the FCT seriously and makes the following demands:
“End the exploitation of FCT lands – It is unjust that while other Nigerians and even foreigners have acquired large swaths of FCT land for private farms, housing estates, and businesses, the original inhabitants live in slums and abandoned villages in abject poverty.
“Resettlement and Compensation – All displaced original inhabitants should be properly resettled, and a comprehensive evaluation of their lands should be conducted to ensure fair compensation.
“Statehood for the FCT – Just as Lagos was both a state and Nigeria’s former capital, the FCT should also be considered for statehood among the proposed new states.
“Establishment of a House of Assembly – If granted statehood, the FCT should have its own House of Assembly to legislate based on its unique needs.
“Inclusion in Federal Allocations – The FCT Area Councils are currently excluded from Nigeria’s 774 recognized Local Government Areas, thereby denying them access to monthly federal allocations. This must be corrected.
“Implementation through Executive and Legislative Actions – These demands can be addressed through executive orders by the President and/or constitutional amendments.
Call to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
The MBF firmly believes that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who fought tirelessly for democratic governance during military rule, is in the best position to address this long-standing injustice.