The Abuja Original Inhabitants Development Association (OIDA) has demanded state status for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with Gwagwalada as its capital, alongside 11 new Local Government Areas (LGAs), eight House of Representatives seats, and three senatorial districts.
The demands were presented to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review during a public hearing in Jos. OIDA President, Pastor Danladi Jeji, said Abuja natives have suffered exclusion from political opportunities due to lack of statehood, denying them access to key offices like governors or lawmakers.
The group argued that all 858 indigenous communities deserve legislative representation and development programs through a proposed Abuja Original Inhabitants Development Commission.
OIDA also proposed new LGAs including Rubochi, Yaba, Galuwyi, and Kubwa, among others, and outlined the three senatorial zones—North, Central, and South—with respective headquarters in New Garki, Kuje, and Kwali.
The move is aimed at correcting decades of marginalisation and giving original FCT inhabitants equal status with citizens from Nigeria’s 36 states.
