The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate demolition of structures built on designated water channels across Abuja, warning that no property owner, regardless of status or political influence, will be spared.
Wike issued the warning against the backdrop of recent flooding in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, saying the demolition exercise would continue throughout the week.
He particularly warned that structures belonging to serving lawmakers and other influential Nigerians would be affected if found obstructing water channels.
“I am going to bring those houses down. Any house that is found on the channel—water channel will go down,” he said.
‘Some Affected Owners Are Senators’
Wike directed officials of the FCT Development Control Department to commence enforcement immediately and warned against delaying the exercise or shielding property owners.
“From today to Saturday, if the Development Control delay, let them find any excuse to run away. They cannot,” he said.
The minister disclosed that some of the properties identified for demolition belonged to senators and other prominent Nigerians.
“Some of them are senators. Some of them are big men.”
He said the administration would enforce the FCT Master Plan irrespective of the political status of those affected.
‘Election or No Election, Those Houses Will Go’
Wike said he was prepared for criticism and political backlash over the demolitions, particularly with political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections already gathering momentum.
According to him, attempts could be made to portray the exercise as politically motivated because of its timing.
“Whether there’s election oh, there’s no election oh, all those houses will go down.”
The minister rejected claims that enforcing the Master Plan amounted to political victimisation, noting that many of the affected structures had existed for years.
He said the properties were not owned by poor residents but by wealthy Nigerians who had built in areas where development was prohibited.
“All those built-up areas that were not supposed to be built up, no, not a single poor person will live there. Those houses are houses built by well-to-do Nigerians.”
