Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has defended his decision to demolish properties supposedly built on government lands in Abuja, despite criticism from residents and property owners.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the demolitions by Wike sparked controversy, with many residents left without homes.
A construction company, Paullosa Nigeria Limited, recently raised the alarm over a demolition notice issued by the Federal Capital Development Authority to demolish its estate in the Lifecamp area of Abuja.
However, Wike on Thursday insisted that the structures being demolished were illegally built on government lands and posed security risks.
He vowed to continue the demolitions, saying, “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 minister also addressed allegations of blackmail, stating that he would not be swayed by threats or intimidation.
“What is wrong is wrong; no amount of blackmail can stop us,” he said. “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 warned individuals who still owed ground rents in the FCT to pay up or risk their titles being revoked. He emphasized that security was a priority function of any government.
During the distribution of operational vehicles to security agencies, Wike urged them to use the vehicles to ensure the safety of lives and property in the FCT, especially during the Yuletide season. 50 vehicles were distributed. 25 of them were allocated to the FCT Command of the Nigeria Police Force; five each to the FCT Department of State Services, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, and the Nigerian Army Guards Brigade; two each for the Abuja Naval Unit and Nigeria Air Force Camp Abuja; while the remaining six were allocated to the Secretaries, Departments and Agencies of the FCT.
