The Senate has directed the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to immediately suspend ongoing property demolitions in Abuja due to alleged irregularities and the hardships caused to residents.
The decision followed a motion by Senator Ireti Kingibe (LP – FCT), seconded by Senator Natasha Akpabio-Uduaghan (PDP – Kogi Central), during plenary.
An ad hoc committee, chaired by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, was tasked with investigating the demolitions and is expected to submit its findings within two weeks.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasised that demolitions must cease unless authorised by a court, pending the committee’s recommendations.
“The Senate urges the Federal Capital Development Authority to stop further demolitions until proper investigations are conducted,” Akpabio stated.
Leading the debate, Senator Kingibe criticised the demolition exercises for bypassing due process, resulting in significant losses for affected individuals. She cited the demolition of Paulosa Estate, allocated since 1984, as a prime example.
While Senator Karimi Sunday (APC – Kogi West) called for the minister to be heard before any directives, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (APC – Ondo Central) supported a temporary halt to prevent irreversible damage.
Akpabio aligned with this approach, stressing the importance of fairness.
The ad hoc committee includes Deputy Senate Leader Senator Oyelola Ashir and Chief Whip Senator Tahir Monguno, among others.
In response, Minister Nyesom Wike defended the demolitions, maintaining that land contraventions in the FCT would not be tolerated.
