The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has addressed concerns about recent demolitions of properties in Abuja before investigations were fully concluded.
He defended the demolitions as necessary actions against illegal structures and warned against efforts aimed at frustrating government decisions.
The controversy centers around demolitions carried out at estates such as River Park Estate in Lugbe, Abuja, where more than 30 structures were torn down due to breaches of development lease agreements.
An ad-hoc ministerial committee chaired by Barrister Salman Dako investigated the estate issues and recommended the revocation of undeveloped plots, which was approved by Wike.
Developers criticized the demolitions, claiming lawful ownership and valid title documents for the land, arguing that such actions were premature, especially with ongoing court cases.
Despite this, Wike maintained that the demolitions targeted illegal buildings erected on revoked leases or government land.
The minister emphasized that governance requires decisiveness and that complaints from affected individuals or groups would not deter efforts to uphold urban planning laws and maintain order in Abuja.
He reaffirmed commitment to continue the demolitions to restore compliance and improve security.
Wike’s firm stance comes amid calls for thorough investigations and adherence to due process, reflecting tensions between developmental regulation enforcement and property owners’ interests in the Federal Capital Territory.
