Lawmaker wants fct treated state

You're referring to the recent development in Nigeria where a lawmaker, Senator Philip Aduda, has called for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to be treated as a state.

For context, the FCT is a federal territory that serves as the capital of Nigeria, located in the center of the country. It is not a state in the classical sense, but rather a federal territory that is governed directly by the federal government.

Senator Aduda, who represents the FCT in the National Assembly, has argued that the FCT should be granted statehood status to enable it to have more autonomy and control over its affairs. He believes that this would help to address some of the challenges facing the territory, such as inadequate infrastructure, poor healthcare, and limited economic opportunities.

Some of the key arguments in favor of treating the FCT as a state include:

  1. Autonomy: Granting statehood status to the FCT would give it more autonomy to govern itself and make decisions about its own affairs.
  2. Economic development: As a state, the FCT would have more control over its own economy and could make decisions about how to allocate resources to promote economic development.
  3. Infrastructure development: As a state, the FCT would have more access to funding and resources to develop its infrastructure, such as roads, healthcare facilities, and education institutions.
  4. Representation: As a state, the FCT would have more representation in the National Assembly and could have more influence over national policies.

However, there are also some challenges and concerns associated with treating the FCT as a state. For example:

  1. Constitutional implications: The Nigerian Constitution would need to be amended to grant statehood status to the FCT, which could be a complex and contentious process.
  2. Funding: As a state, the FCT would need to rely on its own resources and funding, which could be a challenge given its limited economic base.
  3. Integration: Granting statehood status to the FCT could create integration challenges with the surrounding states, particularly in terms of economic and social ties.

Overall, the debate around treating the FCT as a state is complex and multifaceted, and would require careful consideration of the potential benefits and challenges involved.