Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has commended President Bola Tinubu for not denying the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) the benefit of a state by appointing Honourable Zephaniah Jisalo, an indigene of the FCT as one of his 47-man ministerial nominees.
Olajengbesi, the managing partner of Abuja-based law firm, Law Corridor, in a statement, said history is made with the appointment of the first FCT indigene as ministerial nominee for confirmation as member of the Federal Executive Council.
“The decision of President Bola Tinubu to obey the constitutional provision that the FCT should be treated as a state and produce an indigenous minister is most commendable and in tandem with the combined provisions of sections 147 (3), 299, 14 (3) & 42 of the 1999 Constitution.
“The selection of an Abuja indigene is in line with Section 318 and Section 14 (3 and (4) of the 1999 Constitution on federal character principle and a win for the about four million autochthonous but hitherto marginalised natives of the FCT.
“There is no doubt in the capacity and competence of Honourable Zephaniah Jisalo to represent the people of the FCT well in the federal cabinet after his screening and confirmation in the Senate. Hon Jisalo is definitely well-equipped for the task ahead, especially his credential as a former chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and a two-term former member of the House of Representatives from Abuja Municipal/Bwari constituency,” Olajengbesi stated.
Before Jisalo, no indigene of the Abuja has been appointed FCT minister since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
Jisalo was one of the 19 nominees who made the second batch ministerial list of the President announced by the Senate on Wednesday.
In the new list are former Governors Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Bello Matawalle (Zamfara), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe).
Others are Abdullahi Gwarzo, Bosun Tijani, Maryam Shetty, Isiak Salako, Tunji Alausa, Yusuf Sununu, Lola John, Shuaibu Audu, Tahir Mamman, Aliyu Abdullahi, Alkali Saidu, Heineken Lokpobori and Maigari Ahmadu.
Already, the Senate has screened the 28 nominees in the first batch submitted by the President last Thursday. They are Dele Alake, Lateef Fagbemi, Muhammad Idris, Ali Pate, Doris Uzoka, Nasir El-Rufai, Dave Umahi, Wale Edun, Uche Nnaji, Stella Okotete, Adebayo Adelabu, Ekperikpe Ekpo, Hannatu Musawa, Musa Dangiwa, Nyesom Wike; Abubakar Kyari, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, Bello Muhammad, Abubakar Danladi, Badaru Abubakar, Joseph Utsev, Olubunmi Ojo, Betta Edu, Uju Ohaneye, Abubakar Momoh, John Enoh, Iman Suleiman Ibrahim, and Yusuf Tuggar.
