The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended the ongoing demolition of properties in Abuja, saying he won’t be swayed by blackmail.
Wike stated that the structures being demolished by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) are properties illegally built on government lands.
“Let me use this opportunity to tell Nigerians and residents of Abuja, we are not afraid of blackmailing,” the minister said 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.”
Wike emphasized that the FCT Administration will stop anyone who takes government land without formal approval.
“What is wrong is wrong; no amount of blackmail can stop us. People take government property without approval or documentation,” he said.
The minister’s comments came as the Senate ordered a probe into the demolitions in the FCT, setting up a committee to look into the development.
The Senate’s move followed a motion sponsored by Senator Ireti Kingibe, who raised concerns over the demolitions and called for an order to stop them.
