As everyone knows Abuja is the political capital of Nigeria, the most populous black nation on earth, but thats not the only quality it has, it embodies a lot of significance as not just a city but a unifier. In this article we’ll be highlighting the significance of abuja to the Nigerian nation at large.
Center of Unity
Abuja has the slogan Center of Unity, due to the simple fact that it encompasses different tribes, ethnic groups, languages, expertrates and many other groups of people, its actually difficult to spot the true indigenes of abuja even though its attributed the gbagi ethnic group who were predominantly the dwellers before the city was carved out to become a capital. As the center of unity every major tribe and ethnic group is represented from the lowest to the highest levels of government as well as the general populace.
Seat of government
Abuja is home to several key and functional organs of government as well as major sectors. Its indeed called a city of power and affluence because of these key institutions as well as the powerful personalities that occupy these positions. Lets take a look at a list of these :
- Home to Nigeria’s President (the president resides at the presidential villa)
- The National Assembly (Nigeria’s Parliament & Seat of democracy)
- The Supreme Court (Highest court in the land)
- Headquarters of all Military organs (Army, Navy, Air Force)
- Headquarters of the Nigerian Poilice Force
- Headquarters of Paramilitary (Immigrations, Customs, Correctional Services, Fire Service, NSCDC, NYSC etc)
- Headquarters of several top companies
- Ministeries , Government Agencies and parastatals
The 37th State
Abuja is most often referred to as the 37th state due to Several clauses in the Nigerian Constitution pointing out its importance. Take a look at these two popular ones :
Section 299 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 provides thus:- “299 (1) the provisions of this Constitution shall apply to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja as if it were one of the States of the Federation and accordingly: (a) all the legislative powers, the executive powers vested in the House of Assembly, the President of the Federation and in the Courts which by virtue of the foregoing provisions are Courts established for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. (b) all the powers referred to in Paragraph (a) of this Section shall be exercised in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution; and (c) the provisions of this Constitution pertaining to the matters aforesaid shall be read with such modifications and adaptations as may be reasonably necessary to bring them into conformity with the provisions of this Section. The provisions of Section 299(1) a – c, stated above are clear and unambiguous and one does need any aid to interpret same. In the case of Texaco Panama Inc. v. Shell P.D.C.N. Ltd. (2002) 14 WRN 121; (2002) 5 NWLR (Pt. 759) page 209 at pages 226 – 227, the Apex Court, when faced with the problem of interpreting the word “any” in a statute held thus:- “It is now settled that the cardinal principle of interpretation of statutes is that where the ordinary plain meaning of the words used in a statute are very clear and unambiguous, effect must be given to those words without resorting to any intrinsic or external aid. The duty of the Court under those circumstances is to interpret the words strictly giving them their intended meaning and effect.” See the following cases:- (i) A-G., Abia State v. A-G., Federation (2002) 17 WRN 1; (2002) 6 NWLR (Pt. 763) page 264 at 485 – 486. (ii) O.A.U Ile-Ife v. R. A. Oliyide and Sons Ltd. (2001) 7 NWLR (Pt. 712) page 456. (iii) Akpan v. Umah (2002) 23 WRN 52; (2002) 7 NWLR (Pt. 767) at 707.
Reference : The Nigeria Lawyer Website
Section 134 sub-section 1 (b) of the 1999 Constitution states that a winner of a presidential election must not have less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the states in the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Reference : Channels Tv Website
As abuja is regarded as a state just like the other 36, it is entitled to several amenities quite common amongst other states, though the constitution Makes some key modifications with respect to this, in order to prevent duplicity of powers :
- Governor – The president is the executive in charge of abuja, though he appoints a minister to serve in his stead, running the day to day administration of the city. This minister is known as the FCT Minister
- House of Assembly – The Nigerian Parliament also known as the National Assembly is empowered by the constitution to serve as the State assembly of Abuja, Abuja is entitled to one serving Senator and two house of representative members.
- Local Governments : Rather than LGAs (Local Government Areas), Abuja has Six (6) Area Councils, All Spearheaded by Area Council Chairmen
- Federal Minister – Due to the the federal character provision, abuja has a minister representing it in the Federal Executive Council of the president.
Federal Presence and control
As discussed in the earlier sections, Abuja has a lot of Federal Presence especially in its governance. Abuja has a minister in charge of it and even an administration that takes charge of the city popularly known as the FCTA ( Federal Capital Territory Administration ), though the roles they play are minimal as compared to the fact that the president is the “constitutional governor” and the National Assembly is its State assembly.
Geographical Position
The Position of Abuja in the Nigerian map is very significant, Abuja is located at the heart of the country, the very center of the nation. If there were to be an invasion by foreign invaders, it will be difficult to capture this capital city as it is indeed far from any territorial waters or borders.
