The Abuja Original Inhabitants Youths and Empowerment Organisation (AOIYEO) has issued a strong warning to the National Assembly, threatening legal action over what it terms derogatory and inflammatory remarks made by Senator Onyekachi Peter Nwebonyi concerning the indigenous communities surrounding the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
David Isaac, the president of the organisation ,in a statement alleged that Senator Nwebonyi’s statements, which were subsequently corroborated by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, unfairly diminish the pre-existing communities and their rights.
AOIYEO claims Senator Nwebonyi’s comments portrayed the indigenous communities as “illegal,” a characterization the organization vehemently rejects.
The group further alleges that the Senator’s statements have incited attacks against their property and threatened their age-long socio-cultural heritage. The organization’s statement highlights a pattern of encroachment and harassment that has allegedly been exacerbated by the recent pronouncements from the Senate.
“Senator Nwebonyi’s remarks, and the Senate President’s subsequent endorsement, are not only deeply offensive but also legally questionable,” stated David Isaac in a press release.
“The assertion that these communities are ‘illegal’ because compensation has been paid is a blatant disregard for their historical presence and the complexities of land ownership in the area. Many residents have never received any compensation, and those who have claim it was grossly inadequate.”
The AOIYEO’s threat of legal action centers on the alleged violation of the rights of the indigenous communities, including their right to property, cultural preservation, and freedom from discrimination.
The organization is seeking a formal apology from both Senator Nwebonyi and Senate President Akpabio, along with a commitment to cease any further actions that could incite violence or discrimination against the Abuja original inhabitants.
This incident highlights the ongoing tension between development projects and the rights of indigenous communities in Nigeria.
The AOIYEO’s legal action promises to bring further scrutiny to the issue of land ownership, compensation, and the preservation of cultural heritage in the face of rapid urbanization. The outcome of this legal challenge will have significant implications for similar disputes across the country.