ORIGINAL inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja will have one ministerial slot in 2015 if President Goodluck Jonathan is re-elected in the next presidential election.
The president gave the assurance in response to the request made by a delegation of traditional rulers of the FCT which paid him a courtesy call at the State House, Abuja on Thursday.
He also pledged to appoint a qualified indigene as a Permanent Secretary in the federal civil service as long as there is a vacancy.
Jonathan described Abuja indigenes as the most precious citizens of the FCT, who do not have any other ancestral home to run to in the event of a major crisis.
The president explained that it was time for the existing anomaly to be corrected especially as the people of the territory have been good hosts to the central government.
He noted that they have maintained peace in spite of the numerous challenges they face in terms of infrastructural development.
The president said: "people here are qualified to be ministers and permanent secretaries. When the party is thinking of nominating ministers after the elections, you should be able to get a minister."
Also speaking, Vice President Namadi Sambo, said the FCT had witnessed a fast-tracked infrastructural development under the Jonathan-led administration.
He, therefore, urged them to continue to cooperate with the administration as he promised more dividends of democracy by the PDP government.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Adamu Muazu, urged the indigenes to convert their support for the Jonathan administration into votes in the 2015 election.
According to him, "we ask you to help ensure peace in your domains now and forever, especially during the elections.
Speaking earlier, the Ona of Abaji, and chairman of FCT Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Baba Yunusa, assured Jonathan of 100 per cent support of Abuja royal fathers and indigenes.
Tribune
