On Wednesday, thousands of indigenes of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and civil society groups held a massive protest calling for the resignation of Nyesom Wike as Minister of the FCT.
The protesters, who stormed the National Assembly complex, said Wike’s administration was incompetent and lacked vision for the FCT.
At the heart of the protest are serious allegations of land racketeering against Minister Wike. The protesters claim that the minister has been involved in questionable land transactions, leading to the dispossession of indigenous people from their ancestral lands. The controversy has ignited a wave of anger and resentment among FCT indigenes, prompting them to take their grievances to the highest legislative body in the country.
The National Assembly complex became the epicenter of this passionate outcry as thousands of FCT indigenes converged to make their voices heard. The protesters, armed with placards and a collective determination, accused Wike’s administration of failing to address the needs and aspirations of the FCT population. The demand for the minister’s resignation echoed through the air as the crowd made their way to the heart of the nation’s legislative power.
One of the central themes of the protest was the perceived incompetence and lack of vision attributed to Wike’s administration. Protesters argued that the FCT, as the capital of Nigeria, deserves a leader who can navigate the complex challenges of urban development, infrastructure, and community welfare. Many expressed disappointment with what they believe to be a lackluster approach to governance, citing instances of inadequate public services and unchecked land transactions.
The protest underscores the crucial role that vision plays in effective governance, especially in regions as significant as the FCT. Residents are demanding a leader who can articulate a clear vision for the future, addressing not only immediate concerns but also ensuring sustainable development that benefits the entire community. The call for Wike’s resignation stems from a collective desire for leadership that is proactive, transparent, and responsive to the needs of the people.
Speaking for the protesters, Adamu Kabir Matazu, a convener of a civil society, Network of Civil Societies for Economic Sustainability, said Wike should also be probed over his policies on land allocation in the FCT.
He said, “We stand united to express our concern over the direction of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the watch of Nyesom Wike. It’s abysmal and disturbing for the FCT to become an epicentre of controversy due to the misguided actions of Wike, which not only undermine President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda but also cast a shadow on the credibility of the federal government.
“We are here today to demand the immediate resignation, investigation, and prosecution of Nyesom Wike as Minister of the FCT due to his inefficiency in a government that promises to renew the hope of Nigerians.
“A government that wishes to give hope to its citizens must be run by men who possess the required qualities of a leader.
“Wike has remained inefficient in the discharge of his duties and has failed to live up to the vision of the administration of President Bola Tinubu, and he should therefore be sacked from office. While the Federal Government has been calm and calculated in its reforms and its explanations to citizens on the rationale behind the policies of the government, Wike has been insensitive, insulting the collective sensibilities of residents of the Federal Capital and Nigerians in general.
“Many residents are of the view that the land reforms being carried out by Wike are suspected to be targeted at dispossessing Nigerians of their properties.
“His highhandedness in land policies, the revocation of lands, perceived animosity towards a particular section of the country, and the alarming manner in which lands are allocated are suspicious. His actions do not align with the government’s agenda for reforms and development in the FCT. Mr. Wike’s tactics, reminiscent of those of an emperor, which he exhibited during his tenure as governor of Rivers State, are detrimental to the progress and growth we seek for our FCT and the nation at large.”
The Network of Civil Society for Economic Sustainability, therefore, called on Tinubu to take decisive action to contain the excesses of Wike.
