RIGHTS activist Deji Adeyanju has labelled the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, as a “land grabber” amidst ongoing controversies over demolitions and land reallocations in Abuja.
In recent weeks, Wike has faced sharp criticism for ordering the demolition of what he calls illegal structures and revoking land allocations within the FCT. The minister claims these actions are necessary to eliminate security risks and reclaim government-owned lands. However, Adeyanju alleges that Wike is reallocating the lands to his loyalists and cronies.
In a fiery post on X.com (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Adeyanju stated that Wike is “too small” to stop landowners from reclaiming their properties. He accused the minister of emulating practices that even previous FCT ministers could not achieve.
“All the land the land grabber is stealing in Abuja will be collected back,” Adeyanju wrote. “Even Northerners who were FCT Ministers couldn’t steal Abuja land, is it now a villager of Obio-Akpor wearing fake designers and looking like a clown that will steal Abuja land? Wike is too small.”
The accusations come as Wike doubles down on his actions. On Thursday, the minister addressed the criticisms, dismissing allegations of blackmail and reaffirming his commitment to the demolitions.
“There are so many land grabbers, some of us have come to put our foot down and let heaven fall,” Wike stated. “It’s even better that heaven comes down now so that we will not be fasting to go to heaven.”
While Wike insists his actions are in the public’s best interest, Adeyanju and other critics argue that the demolitions and land revocations are politically motivated and disproportionately impact vulnerable residents.
The escalating tension highlights the divide between government policy and public sentiment, leaving many Abuja residents in limbo as they await clarity on the future of their properties.
Eighteen-Eleven Media