Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, confronted residents in Lugbe over alleged land grabbing, insisting on legal land acquisition. His remarks followed protests against property demolitions. Residents claimed legal ownership, while Wike emphasized that all FCT land belongs to the federal government, sparking heated exchanges during the encounter.
In a heated visit to the Lugbe area of Abuja, Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, confronted residents over allegations of land grabbing. This encounter followed protests from locals who attempted to prevent the demolition of their properties, claiming they held legal documentation proving ownership.
Dressed in a blue suit and his signature bowler hat, Wike, flanked by security personnel, emphatically instructed the crowd on proper land acquisition methods. “It cannot work. You cannot come to a place and seize land and say it is your own. We will not allow that,” he asserted, his voice filled with intensity. He warned residents against lawlessness and pledged to educate them on legal protocols.
In response, residents protested, insisting they were legitimate developers rather than land grabbers. They collectively defended their ownership claims, stating, “We have submitted these papers to the authorities.” This only fueled Wike’s ire. “Shut up!” he retorted, asserting that all land in the FCT is owned by the federal government, and area councils lack the authority to allocate it.
Wike’s remarks come amid ongoing efforts by the FCT administration to demolish properties deemed illegally constructed, as part of a broader initiative to uphold the city’s masterplan.
