Pelumi Olajengbesi, an Abuja-based human rights lawyer, has expressed his appreciation towards President Bola Tinubu for his decision not to deprive the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of the opportunity to have a state representation.
President Tinubu’s choice to nominate Hon. Zephaniah Jisalo, a native of the FCT, as one of the 47 ministerial nominees sent to the Senate, has been hailed by Olajengbesi as a historic moment.
As the Managing Partner of the Abuja-based law firm, Law Corridor, Olajengbesi released a statement, acknowledging that this appointment marks the first time an FCT indigene has been considered for confirmation as a member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
“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,” Olajengbesi stated.
“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 marginalized 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,” he added.
Prior to Hon. Jisalo’s appointment, no native of Abuja had been selected as a Minister since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
Hon. Jisalo was among the 19 nominees listed in the second batch of ministerial candidates announced by the Senate on Wednesday. This batch includes former Governors Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Bello Matawalle (Zamfara), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), and Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe), among others.
The Senate had previously screened the 28 nominees from the first batch, which the President had submitted last Thursday. This group consists of individuals such as Dele Alake, Lateef Fagbemi, Muhammad Idris, Ali Pate, Doris Uzoka, Nasir El-Rufai, Dave Umahi, Wale Edun, Uche Nnaji, Stella Okotete, Adebayo Adelabu, and many more.