By Victor Itodo Abuh
SINCE his appointment as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in August 2024, Mr Nyesom Wike has pursued an aggressive demolition campaign in Abuja.
Framed as a restoration of the city’s master plan, his actions have resulted in the destruction of shanties, alleged illegal structures, and even some long-established communities.
While the government touts these measures as necessary for orderliness and urban renewal, the reality for affected residents tells a much grimmer story.
In areas like Sabon Lugbe and along the Airport Road, thousands of residents have seen their homes and livelihoods reduced to rubble.
Community leaders estimate that over 10,000 people have been displaced. Many of these residents belong to vulnerable, low-income groups, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) who fled violence in northern Nigeria.
Despite appeals for resettlement or compensation, the government has offered little to no support, leaving families to fend for themselves.
Abba Garu, a representative of one of the affected communities, described the demolitions as targeting “mini-Nigeria” communities where diverse tribes coexisted.
“We are pleading with the minister to assist us with shelter. We’re not fighting the government; we only seek a place to call home,” he said during a protest.
Critics argue that many of the demolitions lack due process.
In Sabon Lugbe, property owners claim they had valid permits and were still evicted without court orders.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned these actions, stating that they violate residents’ legal rights and exacerbate housing insecurity.
Moreover, the demolitions often proceed without alternative arrangements, a glaring oversight in a city already struggling with a housing deficit.
Wike maintains that the demolitions are necessary to reclaim public land and create infrastructure like bus terminals to improve the city’s functionality.
He has stated that no amount of protests or blackmail will deter him from restoring Abuja’s master plan.
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“We are not interested in intimidation or abuses. Our job is to protect lives and property and make Abuja one of the best cities in the world,” he said.
While urban renewal is essential for any growing city, the lack of resettlement plans and the displacement of vulnerable populations contradict the principles of inclusive governance.
The Senate has already called for a halt to the demolitions, urging a more humane approach that balances development with social responsibility.
Wike’s administration must prioritise resettlement and compensation plans for displaced residents, ensuring that urban development does not come at the expense of citizens’ basic rights.
The demolition campaign in Abuja highlights a larger question about governance: can a city truly thrive if its most vulnerable citizens are left behind?
As Abuja’s skyline changes, so too must the approach to urban planning — shifting from one that merely clears space to one that builds inclusive, sustainable communities. Only then can Wike’s vision of a world-class city become a reality.
