The Senate has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Mr. Nyesom Wike, to halt all ongoing demolitions of structures in Abuja, pending the outcome of an investigation into the matter.
The Senate stressed that demolitions should only be carried out based on court orders from a competent jurisdiction.
During Thursday’s plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the formation of an ad-hoc committee tasked with investigating the demolition activities. The committee, chaired by Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin, includes Senators Victor Umeh, Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo South), Abdullahi Yahaya, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe (PDP, Cross River), Mohammed Monguno, Oyelola Ashiru (APC, Kwara South), and Sahabi Yaú. The committee is expected to present its findings within two weeks.
The Senate’s resolution followed a motion raised by Senator Ireti Kingibe, who expressed concerns over the massive demolitions carried out on Wike’s orders. Kingibe argued that the demolitions, which were purportedly targeting illegal structures and undeveloped plots, often lacked adherence to due process.
“It is worrisome that in recent times, the demolition exercise in the FCT is no longer based on reasons adduced by the FCT administration. The current demolitions are not in line with due process or court orders,” Kingibe said. She noted that the demolitions had caused untold hardship to many individuals, resulting in losses worth billions of naira.
While Senator Sunday Karimi supported the investigation, he urged caution. “There is need to investigate this matter before giving any directive. We must hear from the minister before we say stop demolition,” Karimi stated.
In response to the controversy, FCTA Minister Nyesom Wike defended his actions, stating that he would not succumb to blackmail or sentiments in addressing issues of land ownership and ground rent defaults. Speaking in Abuja during the handover of 50 Hilux vehicles to security agencies, Wike insisted that his administration would enforce accountability.
“We are not afraid of blackmail. You cannot be in this type of position and expect not to be blackmailed, especially in Abuja. Some of us have come to put our foot down,” Wike said.
He accused some property owners of acquiring government land without proper documentation, vowing to revoke such allocations. “If you like, you can be a civil rights activist or a television talker. What is wrong is wrong. No amount of blackmail can stop us,” he added.
Wike also addressed cases where construction firms, such as Julius Berger, have occupied government land for decades without formal ownership. He emphasised that temporary allocations for construction do not equate to permanent ownership.
“Julius Berger was given a site to carry out construction. That does not mean the land belongs to them. Show me the document that it belongs to you. I am not the kind of person you can blackmail into giving you what you’re not entitled to,” Wike asserted.
The minister also referenced the case of Niger Delta activist Chief Rita Lori Ogbebor, whose land allocation was recently revoked. He challenged individuals laying claims to revoked lands to present their legal documents.
“You cannot tell me you’ve lived on the land for 20 years and expect that it now belongs to you. You are a squatter. If you want land, you know the right steps to take. Blackmail will not get you the land,” he stated.
The Senate committee is expected to provide a comprehensive report that will guide further actions regarding the FCT demolitions. Meanwhile, Wike’s firm stance on land ownership and his refusal to bow to public pressure continue to spark debate across the nation.
