2027: Non-indigenes battle for Abuja seat

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By Luminous Jannamike

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ABUJA — A coalition of residents from Nigeria’s 17 Southern states living in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has formed the Southern Residents Stakeholders Forum, in what is shaping up as an early move to influence who represents the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in the 2027 elections.

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At its core, the message is simple: those who live in Abuja, power its economy, and make up the majority of its population should not be left out when it comes to who speaks for the capital at the National Assembly, where the FCT has just one Senate seat and only two House of Representatives seats, making the contest for representation even more competitive.

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Speaking on Saturday through its spokesperson, Godwin Akeme, the forum said the move follows the February 2026 Area Council elections, which it noted have strengthened indigenous leadership at the grassroots level.

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“Abuja is the heart of Nigeria, and its leadership must be a mirror of our national diversity,” the forum said.

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While acknowledging that shift at the local level, the group argued that representation at the federal level, especially in the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency, must reflect the FCT’s cosmopolitan reality.

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“We are calling on the Honourable Minister of the FCT, His Excellency Nyesom Wike, and the APC leadership to uphold the principle of equity, which has been the hallmark of this administration,” they said.

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The forum said it will take its campaign directly to the FCT administration, revealing plans to present its Southern Equity Manifesto and seek alignment ahead of the APC primaries.

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The Forum described itself as a non-partisan platform bringing together community leaders, professionals, business owners and youth advocates from Southern Nigeria resident in Abuja.

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It said its mission is to promote fairness, inclusion and the political interests of non-indigenous residents, who make up a significant share of the FCT’s population and economic base.

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The group added that it supports the Federal Government’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda and is committed to ensuring that Abuja remains a place where every resident, regardless of origin, has a voice in governance and representation.

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