The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has strongly criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for approving the allocation of the historic Old Parade Ground in Area 10, Abuja, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the construction of its new national secretariat.
Describing the move as “executive recklessness and abuse of power,” the SDP urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately intervene and revoke the allocation in order to safeguard national heritage and restore public confidence.
In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the party expressed dismay that a landmark facility which is originally designated for civic, cultural, and national events was being handed permanently to a political party. The SDP accused the minister of fast-tracking the process with unusual speed, waiving statutory fees, and bypassing standard administrative procedures.
According to the party, Wike on August 8, 2025, approved the excision and allocation of a two-hectare portion of the Parade Ground, listed as Plot 4742 in Cadastral Zone A01, Garki District, to the APC. The Right of Occupancy and Certificate of Occupancy were reportedly issued on the same day, which the SDP described as “irregular, questionable, and suspicious.”
The party stressed that the Old Parade Ground has been long recognized as a national monument even before the construction of Eagle Square, it holds significant historical value and should be preserved for future generations. It further alleged that Wike’s decision was influenced by President Tinubu’s directive at the APC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of July 24, 2025, where he reportedly called for a befitting national secretariat for the ruling party.
“It would amount to a national fraud if President Tinubu allows the FCT Minister, in his usual reckless manner, to hand over such a historic facility to the APC,” the statement said.
The SDP also condemned what it described as Wike’s “overzealous efforts” to please the president, citing the recent renaming of the Abuja International Conference Centre after Tinubu and other controversial projects as examples of misplaced priorities.
“Instead of focusing on new infrastructure that will serve all Nigerians, Minister Wike is busy turning national assets into partisan gifts. This is unpatriotic and undermines due process as well as good governance,” the party noted.
Calling on citizens to resist the politicization of national monuments, the SDP insisted that public officials must uphold transparency, accountability, and the national interest above partisan considerations.
“No Nigerian should remain passive while our heritage is appropriated and gifted away to political parties,” the statement added.
The party reaffirmed its commitment to defending Nigeria’s national assets and urged President Tinubu to rescind the allocation of the Old Parade Ground to the APC without delay.
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