News

FCT Residents Panic, Kick As Wike Threatens To Pull Down 6000 Buildings

Published

2 years ago

August 23, 2023

Editor

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have frowned on the position of the minister of FCT to demolish no fewer than 6000 buildings in the city, saying they would not support any indiscriminate destruction of properties.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who dropped the hint on resuming office on Monday, vowed that all illegal buildings distorting the Abuja master plan would be pulled down.

Wike vowed to flatten all illegal buildings even if they belonged to a minister or an ambassador.

But speaking with newsmen, a Kubwa resident, Tola Anya-Nuga declared that Wike’s threat came at a time when citizens were going through a lot and the country’s economy was not doing well.

He stated, “The truth is that no one will ever support the demolition of properties but if the areas will affect or have continued to affect the citizens such as houses on canals or under high tension wires, demolishing such places is a good idea.

“Wike’s speech came at the wrong time because he presented a heart-breaking speech. It can give one hypertension. The country is tense and things are very expensive. Wike and the FG should allow the poor to breathe. He should not have talked about demolition on his first day in office.”

Another resident, Abayomi Samuel, lamented the hardship in the country, adding that the government should look for ways to manage the planned demolitions.

Samuel stated, “Whatever Wike meant by restoring the Abuja Master plan or demolishing people’s property if it is against the will of the people. I can never support that.

“If Wike is talking about the illegal structures in metropolitan places in Abuja, the government should see how it can manage the situation especially if land-owners or house-owners got their certificates from FCDA and others.

“But when we talk about satellite towns and villages like Jikwoyi, Kubwa, etc, what does Wike want to demolish? People are struggling day and night.”

A Kuje resident, and commercial motorcyclist, who simply identified himself as Michael, said though he did not have a house that could be demolished, he hoped that the Wike-led FCT administration would not revoke his land, which he bought from Abuja indigenes.

He said, “I haven’t started building, I just bought land for keeps from an indigene. I didn’t buy from the FCTA, I bought from the indigenes, and it is not every land or house from indigenes that will be revoked or demolished.

“There are some places that have been revoked. So, if they have been revoked, they would likely not touch those places. But for mine, it hasn’t been revoked, I just bought it and I’m trusting God that it is safe.”

Alhaji Kassim said the demolition would make life more difficult for the poor, adding that the government should first create an avenue for the survival of those whose houses may be demolished.

“Instead of looking for where to develop, Wike is looking for where to demolish. We have so many places that are not developed, let him do it first. And then, let them create a place where they can push people to.

“Even, if they want to demolish, if truly the government wants to work well, first create an avenue where they (people) can survive, then you can make a correction; if truly you are for correction,’’ he admonished.

A Kabusa resident, Chinedu Nwachukuwu noted, “Being his first day in office, the minister should have said things that would make residents glad to have him, rather than issuing threats. People living in Abuja are citizens of Nigeria, and their dignity needs to be respected by the government.’’

Stephen Aghedo, who also lives in Kabusa, warned, “This isn’t Rivers State where Wike ruled with impunity during his time as governor. This is the FCT, and he needs to be careful with his utterances and actions.”

Ade Ogundiran, a resident of Dogongada, said, “We only hope that the minister would do everything within the ambit of the law and not take irrational decisions that’ll affect residents and impede the development of the FCT.

“Mr Wike is known for talking too much, however, he should remember that there are people who bought their lands through the proper channels, and destroying properties built on such lands is illegal.”

But Juliet Ndichie expressed concern regarding the deteriorating status of the Federal Capital Territory as a modern city.

According to her, Abuja has become a safe haven for criminals, leading to a rise in various nefarious activities that pose a threat to its residents.

Ndichie, who lives in Dawaki, asked the new administration to tackle crime and make the city safe.

Martha Ibrahim, who stays in Lugbe, expressed support for Wike’s move to restore the master plan, arguing that it is in the best interest of the inhabitants.

On her part, Fatima Farouq said, “If Wike follows the Masterplan for the FCT, it will be for the growth and development of the city. It may seem difficult now, but in the long run, we will appreciate it.

“Abuja was not like this and the way people are building houses anyhow, if care is not taken, we may not be able to control it, and it will be a shame to us as a nation.”

The Treasurer of the Nigerian Institute of Building, Lagos Chapter, Philips Ayotunde, endorsed the move to sanitise the FCT but cautioned against selective enforcement of the law and witch-hunt of opposition party members.

He said, “The question is if they would not be selective in their approach because that has often been the norm in Nigeria. Politicians often go after their political rivals. If only they would embrace fairness, justice, and transparency.

“I support the removal of buildings on development of green areas and removal of buildings without approvals. But they should not be selective in their approach.

“When you apply the law on those you are seeing as political rivals and the same law is exempted on your favourites, it would not result in fairness.”

They appealed to Wike not to worsen hardship in the country.

News

Okpebholo Launches 1bn Interest-free Loan For Edo Traders

Published

13 hours ago

June 14, 2025

Editor

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, has officially launched a ₦1 billion interest-free loan scheme, as part of the fulfilment of his campaign promises.

The governor at the launching also said it was a direct alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for national progress.

Okpebholo, addressing market women and men, described the initiative as a beacon of hope for over 5,000 farmers and small business owners across the state, adding that it would inject vitality into grassroots commerce.

He said “There is an adage: follow who knows the road. That is why we decided to follow the footsteps of our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

He added, “Today, what we are doing in Edo State is the implementation of the agenda of the President. We thank God for the kind of leadership He has given to Edo State and Nigeria. Now, it is time for the progress for our people.”

The Governor underscored the personal commitment behind the scheme, recalling his campaign promise to provide soft loans.

He emphasized that this N1 billion fund was the fulfillment of that pledge, but with a crucial safeguard.

“I just wanted to be sure that this money will not go into the wrong hands. That is the essence of this gathering. Because, with my past experience, whenever the Executive gives out loans, the money does not get to the grassroots,” Okpebholo noted.

“If you do not get this, come back to me and report.” He also revealed that this initial rollout is a “pilot test,” with its success paving the way for future replications of the scheme.

In his statement, Honourable Commissioner for Finance, Emmanuel Ehidiamen Okoebor, said: “It is with great pride and a sense of responsibility that I stand before you today to welcome everybody to this occasion of the launching of the N1 billion interest-free loan to Edo people, our traders, our market women, our brothers and our fathers in the state,” he declared.

Okoebor said the scheme would “boost the economy of our rural areas and semi-urban areas, create jobs, and reduce poverty.”

He added, “Now, he has come to empower the people.” Crucially, he explained the zero-interest feature that sets this loan apart. “Before now, our mothers collected loans and paid 10% on N200,000. For this, there is no interest. You pay back what you borrowed.”

“Each of the 5,000 beneficiaries will receive N200,000, with a generous 12-month repayment period and a one-month moratorium, offering vital breathing room for businesses to stabilize.”

News

Open Letter To The Speaker, Parliament Of The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide

Published

14 hours ago

June 14, 2025

Editor

The writer, Mr Godswill Doubra Wuruyai (Right) andHon. Gabriel Allen Tomoni

Date: 14th June 2025

To:
Rt. Hon. Gabriel Allen Tomoni
Speaker,
Parliament of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide

Dear Mr Speaker,

RE: THE STATUS OF OPTION A4 AS VOTING MECHANISM AND MATTERS ARISING

I bring you warm greetings of solidarity and unwavering commitment to the Ijaw struggle.

It has become necessary to issue this Open Letter in response to your recent communication dated 13th June 2025, titled “Clarification on Applicable Constitution Guiding Electoral Activities in Lagos Chapter”, and to set the record straight regarding the status of the Option A4 voting mechanism as duly adopted by the Convention of Ijaw Youths at the Odi Constitution Convention 2024.

Permit me to respectfully state from the outset that the matter of Option A4 is neither open to debate nor subject to discretionary legislative ratification by Parliament, the NEC, or any Zonal or Chapter organ of Council. It is a constitutional matter, having been overwhelmingly adopted at the Odi Constitution Convention 2024—the supreme legislative convention of the Ijaw Youth Council, which carries the highest constitutional authority within our organisation.

The Convention is the apex legislative authority on matters of constitutional amendment and review. By both precedent and constitutional logic, once a Constitutional Convention concludes with the majority adoption of any provision, it becomes valid and binding immediately upon adoption by Congress—the highest sovereign body of the Ijaw Youth Council. The notion of “presidential assent” is ceremonial in nature; it does not possess the force to invalidate or delay the decisions of Congress. Signing ceremonies remain symbolic, not constitutive, in effect.

It is, therefore, anomalous and potentially unconstitutional for Parliament, or any of its officers, to purport to subject the decision of Congress to further parliamentary debate, rectification, or ratification. This represents not only a fundamental misreading of the IYC’s constitutional architecture but also a dangerous precedent that could undermine the very foundation of our collective legitimacy.

Furthermore, no Zonal structure, Chapter, or stakeholders’ forum possesses the jurisdiction to review, reject, or suspend a decision reached by a duly convened Constitutional Convention. The only valid forum that can revisit the matter of Option A4—or any other constitutional provision—is another Constitutional Convention convened specifically for that purpose.

The role of Parliament as a stabilising institution within the IYC structure is to promote order, not to precipitate constitutional crises by attempting to override the sovereign will of Congress. Should Parliament insist on such actions, it risks dragging the IYC into an avoidable constitutional conflict that could jeopardise the unity of our noble Council.

The Lagos Chapter, like all other organs of Council, is bound by the supreme decisions of the Constitutional Convention and must conduct its electoral processes in strict adherence to Option A4, as adopted.

Accordingly, I call on you, as Speaker of Parliament, to respect and uphold the supremacy of Congress and its resolutions. Anything short of that amounts to an attempt to overturn the will of the Ijaw people through administrative fiat, which must be firmly resisted by all well-meaning Ijaw youths.

Let me conclude by reminding all concerned that we must not allow petty personal interests or ego-driven conflicts to derail the hard-earned democratic processes within our Council. This is not a time for power tussles, but a time for unity, maturity, and constitutional discipline.

I trust that you will act in accordance with the Constitution and in the enduring interest of the Ijaw nation.

Yours in service of the Ijaw struggle,

Mr Godswill Doubra Wuruyai
Stakeholder/Member
Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide

Cc:
Comr. Williams Ayoromiegha Junior, Clerk of Parliament
All Members of Parliament, IYC Worldwide
The President, Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide
NEC Members, Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide
All Zonal and Chapter Chairpersons, IYC
Ijaw Youth Stakeholders Nationwide

News

Reps To Quiz Edun, Cardoso Over Non-compliance With Fiscal Responsibility Act

Published

15 hours ago

June 14, 2025

Editor

The Joint House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts and Public Assets has invited the Minister of Finance, Mr Olawale Edun, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr Olayemi Cardoso, to appear before it on Monday over allegations bothering on non-compliance with the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007.

The duo are also expected to respond to the 2021 audit queries relating to internal control weaknesses identified by the Office of the Auditor General for the Federation (oAuGF).

In a letter jointly signed by the Chairmen of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Rep. Bamidele Salam, and the Committee on Public Assets, Rep. Ademorin Kuye, the lawmakers requested the Finance Minister and the CBN Governor to provide details on the remittance of operating surplus to the Federation Account by the apex bank in line with the provisions of relevant laws and regulations.

The Fiscal Responsibility Commission and the Auditor General for the Federation had, in reports submitted to the joint committees, accused several Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including the CBN, of failing to remit or under-remitting their operating surpluses as required by extant financial laws and regulations over the last six years.

According to the Public Accounts Committee Chairman, “these violations have negatively impacted the liquidity of the federal government and constitute a hindrance to effective implementation of the budgets passed by parliament.”

The committees stated that both the Finance Ministry and the apex bank had been given ample opportunity to reconcile their accounts and present their positions in order to determine the degree of financial liabilities involved, hence the need for a final hearing to resolve the issues.

The committee is equally reviewing a report in the Auditor General for the Federation’s statutory report which suggests that a number of public assets, which had been fully paid for, have not been completed or put into use for many years.

“Some of these projects in Dutse, Abeokuta and other locations were awarded between 2011 and 2016 but yet to be completed according to audit reports.”