2023: Plight of Middle Belt/Southern FCT residents

As the 2023 general elections draw nearer, we wish to draw attention to the unbalanced distribution of political appointments and amenities among ethnic groups in Abuja and call for inclusion and proper representation in the scheme of affairs in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to reflect the multi-ethnic composition of the territory and in the interest of equity and fairness.

It amounts to injustice and insensitivity for parties to harness 75 per cent of votes from Middle Belt/Southern FCT residents to win positions such as the Senate and House of Representatives and council seats without considering the people of the zone for any political appointment.

The Middle Belt/Southern FCT residents also pay more tax in the territory from our businesses and contribute more to the development of Abuja than any other section of the country. Taxation without proper representation in the affairs of government is sheer slavery and this must stop because for the 2023 general elections, every candidate that wants our support must sign a social contract with us.

The votes of the indigenes alone will not be enough to attract victory to political parties, but it is regrettable that after every election, the contributions of non-indigenes in producing victory for the government in the office are usually forgotten and they are sidelined in appointments and the distribution of other dividends of democracy.

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More than 72 per cent of revenue generated by the FCT comes from a business run by Middle Belt/Southern FCT residents; hence our demand for the senatorial seat in the 2023 general elections.

We do not want leaders who will take us for granted after using our votes to get into office. We want leaders who will be accessible, understanding and open to suggestions. there are people who take us for a ride when it comes to delivering the dividends of democracy and simply telling us that we do not matter,, but we will use our votes well to elect people of good character in next year’s elections.

Comrade Olisa Uzoewulu (Wulus), chairman, Middle Belt/Southern Peoples Concourse, wrote from Abuja