The Agabe of Ugbada-Gwargwada Chiefdom in the Kuje Area Council of the FCT, Alhaji Hussaini Agabi Mam, has expressed concern over the government's failure to upgrade traditional stools within the territory.

Speaking during an interview at his palace, Alhaji Mam noted that since many traditional rulers were installed over 29 years ago by the then FCT Minister, General Jeremiah Useni, their ranks have remained stagnant.

He stated that traditional rulers have raised the issue repeatedly, including during high-level security meetings with both past and present FCT ministers.

He said despite these consistent efforts to highlight the need for upward mobility in the traditional hierarchy, the FCT Administration has yet to provide a positive response.

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The monarch expressed frustration that many of their counterparts in neighboring Kogi, Nasarawa, and Niger states--who were installed much later--have already been elevated to first-class status.

He argued that the FCT should not be an exception to this practice of administrative advancement.

He said, "We are long overdue for an upgrade. We have remained at the same level since 1997 when the former FCT Minister, General Jeremiah Useni, installed us."

"In every meeting with previous and current FCT ministers, we table the issue of upgrading our stools. We have no alternative but to follow due process by writing to the minister. I believe this is achievable, yet we remain stagnant as nothing has been done," he added.

The monarch appealed to the current minister to prioritize the upgrading of these traditional stools to ensure they are at par with their colleagues at the state level.