Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has pledged to continue the controversial demolition exercises in Abuja, brushing off protests and criticisms from civil society organizations and activists. The minister’s firm stance comes after a visit to the recently demolished Ruga settlement, following a security council meeting on Sunday evening. Wike’s response followed a wave of protests, led by human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju and social media activist Vincent Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan. The protesters, joined by displaced settlers, urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and halt the ongoing demolitions, which were carried out by the Department of Development Control. Unmoved by the demonstrations, Wike doubled down on the government’s commitment to clearing illegal structures in Abuja to ensure safety and transform the city into a global standard. “No amount of blackmail, no amount of intimidation, no amount of abuses; we must go around to do our jobs,” Wike said. “It doesn’t matter who they hire, whether they call them civil society or not, we are not interested. Our interest is to protect lives and property, to safeguard Abuja so that it will be one of the best cities in the world.” The minister also warned residents not to rebuild any structures—temporary or permanent—until the government decides on the future of the affected areas. He hinted that several other shanty settlements across the city would face demolition, with plans to convert some of these spaces into new bus terminals to improve orderliness in the capital. “As far as this road is concerned, we have told them nobody is going to build anything, whether temporary or permanent, until the government has made a final decision on what to do with this land,” Wike declared. “We have seen many shanties, areas converted to bus stops, and we’ve decided to demolish them to create a good environment for people to carry out their businesses.” Despite Wike’s hardline approach, displaced residents are pleading for a more compassionate solution. Abba Garu, spokesperson for the settlers, urged the minister to provide alternative shelter for the thousands of people affected by the demolitions. “We are not challenging the government for ownership of the land,” Garu said. “But we are pleading with the honourable minister to assist us with shelter. This place is like a mini Nigeria—over 10,000 people from different tribes live here. We are simply asking for somewhere to reside.” With tensions mounting and the demolitions set to continue, Wike has directed that five representatives from the displaced community meet with FCT security agencies and the Department of Development Control to discuss possible solutions. As Abuja’s landscape undergoes dramatic changes, the battle between development and displacement continues to fuel public outcry. Post navigation Renewed hope initiative funded by private, corporate donors, says Oluremi Tinubu. Atiku’s economic analysis out of tune with realities, says Presidency.
