The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has issued a strong rebuke against Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi's recent proposal calling for the demolition of indigenous settlements near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

In a press statement released on Thursday, CHRICED described the senator's proposal as "a dangerous threat to marginalized communities" and "a violation of human rights" that would displace Abuja's Original Inhabitants and worsen Nigeria's housing crisis.

Senator Nwebonyi had on May 14, 2025, urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Nyesom Wike, to remove what he termed "eyesores" along the airport road, claiming this would improve Nigeria's image in the eyes of international visitors.

Comrade Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, Executive Director of CHRICED, countered this justification, stating: "These settlements are not mere encroachments; they represent ancestral lands and cultural heritage. The residents, already struggling with economic hardships, cannot afford the soaring rents in other parts of the FCT."

CHRICED emphasized that many of the affected communities house low-income earners and descendants of Abuja's indigenous people who have historically faced systemic neglect and exclusion from development planning.

While the Senate rejected Senator Nwebonyi's proposal following opposition from lawmakers, CHRICED expressed ongoing concern about the threat to these settlements, particularly in light of comments by Senator Adamu Aliero, who noted that the lands in question had already been allocated for development.

"This reveals the precarious situation of these communities and the likelihood of continued displacement," the organization warned.

CHRICED highlighted that forced evictions would violate both national and international laws, including Section 43 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in the country. Nigeria is also a signatory to the United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which protects the right to adequate housing.

The human rights organization called on the Senate to go beyond merely rejecting the demolition bill and instead pass a binding resolution directing the FCT Administration to halt all planned demolitions. They also urged a comprehensive human rights review of any future development plans.

"Urban development must be rooted in fairness, justice, and inclusivity—not in the erasure of the poor," CHRICED emphasized.

The group also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration to ensure that any future relocation efforts follow due process, including prior notification, fair compensation, and adequate alternative housing.

CHRICED has called on the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) to intervene and urged civil society organizations and the international community to help protect Abuja's Original Inhabitants from displacement.

The organization reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rights of vulnerable populations and called on all stakeholders to promote policies that preserve the dignity of all Nigerians.