In brief
This article sheds light on the plight of indigenous communities evicted from their ancestral lands to make way for Abuja, Nigeria's capital. While they were promised compensation and services, many residents feel abandoned as their struggles continue. Community leaders express the need for representation, highlighting a stark divide between the affluent capital and the underdeveloped outskirts inhabited by these displaced groups.
Now in her 80s, Lami Ezekiel recalls the arrival of construction crews in her ancestral home of Maitama as it was destroyed to build Nigeria's capital, Abuja. 'We just saw big trucks and construction vehicles destroying our farms,' she remembers from the late 1980s. Despite the promises made to the residents about compensation, many, including Ezekiel, are still waiting.
Planning for Abuja began in the 1960s, and in 1976, the military government officially designated the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), displacing numerous communities. Isaac David, who grew up in Kabusa, which lies within the FCT, reminisces about a vibrant series of streams and farmland, replaced today by luxury hotels and governmental buildings.
For at least ten indigenous groups, including the Gbagyi, the designation of Abuja as 'no man's land' is painful as their homes have been replaced with institutions. Community leaders highlight that their histories span over 6,000 years, yet they are politically marginalized without direct representation in government.
Residents like Daniel Aliyu Kwali and others express frustration over their situation: while they acknowledge the need for governance, the lack of rights to contest elections or hold positions in power suggests systemic the exclusion of indigenous populations in Abuja.
The government's promise to relocate those displaced was poorly executed, with many residents facing hostility from new inhabitants in their new areas. Hostility against displaced locals persisted, and amenities promised remained unfulfilled. Many families are still without secure land titles, basic resources, or political representation.
Despite the challenges, community leaders and activists continue to persist in their fight for a voice and rights in their own land, stressing their desire for acknowledgment and proper compensation.
