**The Unfinished Story of Abuja's Original Inhabitants** For over five decades, Abuja, Nigeria's federal capital, has been a symbol of national unity. However, beneath the gleaming skyscrapers and modern infrastructure lies a painful truth: the original inhabitants of this land have been denied their rightful place in the nation's governance. Their ancestral lands were taken, promises of resettlement and compensation were made, but much of that promise remains unfulfilled. Across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), indigenous communities continue to face displacement, loss of farmlands, cultural erosion, and economic uncertainty. While Abuja has become a global capital, its original hosts remain spectators to prosperity built on their lands. An elder in Gwagwalada poignantly asks, "We gave Nigeria our land so the country could be one. But 50 years later, we are still waiting to be treated as equal stakeholders." **The Unfinished Social Contract** Abuja's development plan anticipated large-scale resettlement and compensation for the original inhabitants. However, population figures were underestimated, implementation faltered, and thousands of families were left in limbo. Entire communities were absorbed by urban expansion, while others faced repeated displacement without full compensation. Today, advocacy groups estimate that over two million indigenous people have been affected by this systemic neglect. Despite legislative interventions and recurring promises, the resettlement and compensation process was never completed. This neglect is not only emotional but also constitutional, as the 1999 Constitution guarantees the FCT's equality with other states and the Federal Character Principle mandates inclusion and fairness in governance. **A Call for Political Priority and Justice** The FCT's indigenous people have no alternative political homeland, unlike other Nigerians who can contest elections in their home states and enjoy priority in appointments. A youth leader in Kuje succinctly captures this paradox: "Every Nigerian has a state, politically. We only have Abuja, yet even here, we are treated like strangers." To address this injustice, there is a need for political inclusion, particularly the right of first refusal in elective offices and political appointments. This is not ethnic entitlement but restorative justice. The current FCT leadership has made commendable efforts in rural infrastructure development, but more is needed to address the systemic neglect and ensure the original inhabitants' rights are recognized and respected. In conclusion, the story of Abuja's original inhabitants is an unfinished chapter in Nigeria's history. It is a call to action, a reminder