Secret Reporters No place to hide
Secrets Reporters
In an urgent and impassioned public appeal, a prominent civil society group, Integrity, and Transparency Watchdog, has called on the President and Commander-in-Chief to intervene over alleged clandestine actions by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The group claims that Wike is orchestrating a secretive plan to allocate a newly created Plot No. 267, encompassing a substantial 500 hectares in Usuma District, to Blue Fountain Estate, a private entity. This appeal underscores concerns that such maneuvers not only circumvent due process but also reflect a larger disregard for transparency and equity in the management of public lands.
Recall that Wike, recently issued plot allocation papers to Radcom Nigeria Limited in the Lugbe area of Abuja shortly after demolition activities began there.
In October 2024, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) initiated the demolition of duplexes and bungalows in Sabon Lugbe, led by Mukhtar Galadima, Director of the FCTA’s Department of Development Control. Initially targeting 10 buildings, the demolition ultimately involved nearly 50 structures.
The move drawn strong criticism from residents and estate developers, who claim the demolitions were conducted without prior notice, displacing hundreds of people. They allege the demolition serves as a form of intimidation and oppression, accusing Wike of reallocating the land to his allies and associates.
Similarly, the civil society group that this particular 500 hectares in Usuma District has already been allocated, with numerous lawful occupants holding valid Rights of Occupancy as authorized by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA). Many of these occupants have invested significantly in the area, paying rent and contributing to its development.
The group’s statement warns that seizing land from these rightful owners to favor a private estate not only breaches established norms but could also establish a dangerous precedent for future land allocations, potentially jeopardizing public trust in the FCT’s land governance system.
Dr. Ibrahim Sodangi, a spokesperson for the civil society group, expressed deep apprehension about the minister’s alleged actions, describing them as a blatant abuse of authority. “We are witnessing the creation of new plots from previously allocated land, disregarding the rights of current landholders and disrupting lives,” Dr. Sodangi stated. He further urged members of the National Assembly to assert their oversight role and protect citizens from this form of administrative overreach.
According to Dr. Sodangi, the minister’s decisions are perceived as not only unlawful but fundamentally unfair, with significant implications for those who have staked their livelihoods in Usuma District.
The group also claims that official documentation for the newly created Plot 267 is already being processed under Minister Wike’s directive, raising fears that this allocation may soon be formalized despite the outcry.
Current landholders in the district have been left in limbo, facing potential displacement and the loss of investments they have poured into developing their plots. The group argues that these tactics undermine the integrity of land administration, and could deter investors and citizens alike, as trust in land governance systems erodes.
In its closing appeal, the civil society group reminds Minister Wike that his position is not permanent, cautioning against using public office to make unilateral decisions that could damage public trust for years to come. They call on the President, the National Assembly, and other key stakeholders to ensure that the rule of law prevails and that the rights of citizens are upheld.
As the situation intensifies, all eyes are now on the federal government and the National Assembly to see whether they will step in to halt what the civil society group describes as a potentially devastating land reallocation scheme.
The outcome of this controversy may well determine the future of land governance and accountability within the FCT, as citizens await a response to what they see as a critical test of justice and transparency.
