Minister Suspends Chieftaincy Related Appointments In FCT

According to a statement on Sunday in Abuja, Muhammed Bello, Minister, Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA), has suspended all chieftaincy related appointments in traditional institutions in the territory.

The suspension was contained in a recent circular released by the Office of the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr Babatope Ajakaiye. Ajakaiye added that the suspension was as a result of complaints, petitions and legal tussles among interested parties.

The administration lamented that issues relating to appointment and installation into traditional positions in the FCT has sometimes led to situations that were inimical to peaceful coexistence in some of these communities.

“It had become pertinent to emphasize the provision of the FCT Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) Act, 2007, which states that upon the death, resignation or deposition of any Chief or Traditional Ruler, of a kind referred in sub-section (1) of this section.

“The Minister may approve as the successor to such office of a Chief or Traditional Ruler as the case may be, by any person appointed in that behalf by the persons charged with the responsibility of appointing persons to the office or Chief or Traditional Ruler in accordance with the provisions of any order made by the Minister after consultation with the Department of Local Government Administration.

“Consequently, all issues of appointments, installation and turbanning of district, village and ward heads have been suspended until further notice,’’ the FCTA said.