The demonstrators, comprising indigenous residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), were calling for the withdrawal of Solomon Adodo’s nomination to the board of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC).

Nigerian police officers on Wednesday fired tear gas at peaceful protesters gathered outside the National Assembly complex in Abuja.

The demonstrators, comprising indigenous residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), were calling for the withdrawal of Solomon Adodo’s nomination to the board of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC).

Led by Comrade Zakari Gambo Babale, Secretary of the FCT Youth Stakeholders Forum, the protesters decried what they described as the persistent marginalisation of the FCT’s indigenous communities in federal appointments and development initiatives.

According to Babale, Adodo, who hails from Benue State, is ineligible to represent the FCT, as the region is already underrepresented in the commission with a disproportionate allocation of four representatives from Benue.

The protesters insisted that only an FCT indigene, familiar with the unique socio-political and developmental challenges of the territory, should occupy the slot.

They called for Adodo’s immediate withdrawal and a replacement that would better represent the interests of the FCT's indigenous people.

Last week, SaharaReporters also reported that some residents of Plateau State were mobilising for protests in the FCT, Abuja, to oppose President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of Mr. Cyril Tsenyil as Managing Director of the newly established North Central Development Commission (NCDC).

The Plateau protesters vowed to "occupy the streets and stay until our voices were heard, noting that the nomination would only benefit the corrupt political class and not the general interests of the people.

In a statement made available to journalists in Jos, the state capital, the spokesperson for the Concerned Plateau Youth Forum, Danladi Pam, urged Tinubu to withdraw the nomination immediately.

The group alleged that Tsenyil’s appointment was politically influenced and did not reflect the collective interest of the people of Plateau State.

According to the statement, Tsenyil, who served as the Plateau State accountant-general during Senator Simon Lalong's administration as governor, was nominated for the top position in the Commission through Lalong's influence.

Pam said the nomination “smacks of favouritism, cronyism, and total disregard for competence and broad-based representation.”

WATCH: Nigerian Police Teargas Protesters Opposing Solomon Adodo’s Nomination To NCDC Board At National Assembly pic.twitter.com/rIbNUB1jp0

— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) May 21, 2025