The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has justified the ongoing demolition of properties in Abuja, maintaining that he will not be deterred by threats or criticism.
Wike explained that the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) is targeting structures illegally erected on government land.
“Let me use this opportunity to tell Nigerians and residents of Abuja, we are not afraid of blackmailing,” the minister said on Thursday during the distribution of operational vehicles to security agencies at the FCTA Secretariat in Abuja.
“In fact, you cannot be in this kind of position and say you cannot be blackmailed particularly as regards this 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 be fasting again to go to heaven.”
The FCTA has recently escalated efforts to demolish structures it considers illegal, including estates and shanties, citing security concerns and violations of land use regulations.
Wike emphasized that while some of the affected properties pose safety risks, others are occupying land meant for government use without proper approval.
“We would stop anybody who thinks they will take government land for whatever reason with formal approval. We would not look at your face. If you like, be a civil rights activist or a television personality,” Wike stated.
“What is wrong is wrong; no amount of blackmail can stop us. People take government property without approval or documentation.”
The minister’s remarks coincided with the Senate’s decision to investigate the demolitions. The Senate initiated the probe following a motion by Ireti Kingibe, the Senator representing the FCT, who expressed concerns about the ongoing demolitions and called for an immediate halt.
A committee, chaired by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, has been tasked with investigating the issue and inviting Wike to explain the rationale behind the demolitions in Abuja.