The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared his intention to proceed with demolishing illegal structures in Abuja, defying a Senate order to halt the exercise. He emphasized that he would not be deterred by accusations or blackmail.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, reiterated that the demolitions conducted by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) target properties unlawfully erected on government-owned land.
Speaking during the distribution of operational vehicles to security agencies at the FCTA Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday, Wike said, “Let me use this opportunity to tell Nigerians and residents of Abuja, we are not afraid of blackmail. In fact, you cannot be in this kind of position and say you cannot be blackmailed, particularly in Abuja.
“There are so many land grabbers. Some of us have come to put our feet down. Let heaven fall. It is even better that heaven comes down now so that we would not have to fast to go to heaven.”
Earlier, the Senate had passed a resolution directing Wike to suspend the demolitions pending the conclusion of investigations by its ad-hoc committee. This followed a motion by Senator Ireti Kingibe, who raised concerns over the scale and impact of the demolitions.
Kingibe’s motion argued that the demolitions were being carried out without due process, causing significant hardship to affected residents and resulting in property losses worth billions of naira.
She stated, “Demolition in the FCT is no longer in line with due process. A cross-section of individuals has suffered untold hardship, and the exercise is no longer based on the reasons initially given by the FCT administration.”
She cited the case of Merss Paulosa Estate, owned by the late Colonel Paul Osang Kwanwa, whose allocated land from 1984 is currently under revocation and demolition despite proper documentation.
Senator Sunday Karimi of Kogi West opposed the motion, arguing that the minister should be allowed to perform his duties, but suggested an investigation into the matter.
However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio countered, urging senators to act patriotically. He warned that the government risks legal action from aggrieved parties if due process is not followed. Akpabio then ruled that the demolitions be paused while an ad-hoc committee, chaired by Jibrin Barau, investigates the matter.
Despite the Senate’s directive, Wike remains firm in his stance, signaling a potential faceoff between the executive and legislative arms of government over the issue.
