The Abuja Original Inhabitants Youths Empowerment Organisation (AOIYEO) have beckoned on the Federal Government to recognise Abuja as a state.
They made this call on Tuesday, during this year’s International Day for World Indigenous Day Celebration.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Executive Director of the organisation, Mr Isaac David said indigenes of of area will get more developed if they’re recognised as a state.
“The Federal Government should take a position on constitutional legitimacy of land administration in the Federal Capital Territory to stop the marginalisation of the people.
“We need a state status to increase our franchise to enable us to have an executive governance structure, independent governing body and expand our representation at the National Assembly,” he said.
The United Nations set up August 9 as the international Day for indigenous people groups.
And this year’s theme was “The Role of Indigenous Women in the Preservation and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge.”
