The Senate has directed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to immediately stop all ongoing demolitions of properties in Abuja.
The decision, reached on Thursday, was prompted by concerns over irregularities and the hardships caused by the exercise.
During plenary, Senator Ireti Kingibe (Labour Party – FCT) moved a motion highlighting the devastating impact of the demolitions on affected individuals. The motion was seconded by Senator Natasha Akpabio-Uduaghan (PDP – Kogi Central).
“In recent times, the demolition exercise in the FCT has no longer been based on reasons that necessitate demolitions. Affected individuals have suffered untold hardships, losing properties worth billions of naira,” Senator Kingibe said.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, emphasized the need for fairness, urging that demolitions should only proceed after proper investigations.
“The Senate urges the Federal Capital Development Authority to stop further demolitions of structures, except those ordered by courts of competent jurisdiction, until the ad hoc committee concludes its investigation,” he said.
The Senate has set up a committee, chaired by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, to investigate the demolitions. The committee has two weeks to report its findings.
While Senator Karimi Sunday (APC – Kogi West) argued that the minister should be heard before halting demolitions, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (APC – Ondo Central) insisted it was fair to pause the exercise during the investigation.
“Are we saying we should allow the place to be demolished while we are investigating? What is fair is to stop the situation today and investigate,” Adegbonmire argued.
Meanwhile, Nyesom Wike has defended the demolitions, insisting they target illegal structures and land grabbers. Speaking at the handover of operational vehicles to security agencies in Abuja, Wike stated, “We are not afraid of blackmail. People take government property without approval or documents.”
He also addressed allegations of favoritism, denying accusations that he allocated lands to associates.
“You tell people that they came to take your land, and you said the land was allocated to a Rivers man. So what? A Rivers man is not entitled to have land in Abuja?” he said.
Wike warned defaulters of ground rents in the FCT to pay up or risk losing their land titles.
“Go and check your records. If you have not paid, I will revoke it and allocate it to those who will pay,” he added.
During the event, Wike announced plans to hand over 12 new police divisions to the FCT Commissioner of Police before April 2025. He stressed the importance of security, particularly during the festive season.
“We must not allow these criminals to strike before we act. We have to take the war to them,” he said.
Wike also donated 50 vehicles to federal security agencies, bringing the total number of vehicles provided by the FCT Administration to 100 this year.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, expressed gratitude, promising that the vehicles would enhance security efforts.
“Our commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for all residents remains our highest priority,” he said.
The vehicles were distributed among security agencies, with 25 going to the Nigeria Police Force, while others were allocated to the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army, and other security outfits.
