A coalition of Concerned FCT Residents and 65 civil society organizations has raised serious concerns over what it describes as increasing corruption in the Federal Capital Territory’s land administration system under the leadership of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.
The group, led by its convener, Alhaji Husseini Abubakar Agaire, alleges that Wike is gradually reversing key reforms made in the FCT’s land administration, particularly with respect to the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS).
Speaking at a press conference, Agaire criticized Wike’s approach to FCT governance, likening his actions to his tenure as governor of Rivers State. “After eight years in office, Nyesom Wike is still suffering from a power hangover that deludes him into thinking that every area he governs must answer to his whims and caprices. Unfortunately, he is now attempting to convert the FCT into his personal estate, as he did in Rivers State,” Agaire remarked.
The group expressed concerns about Wike’s handling of AGIS, a system designed to ensure transparency and reduce fraud in the management of land in the FCT. “Wike is bent on dismantling AGIS, a system that has successfully reduced corruption in the FCT’s land management over the past 20 years.
He is undoing critical reforms and bringing us back to the pre-AGIS era, which was marked by high-level corruption, mismanagement, and waste of resources,” Agaire explained.
According to the group, Wike’s recent actions, including the removal of key officials in the FCTA and FCDA and their replacement with his associates, suggest a deliberate attempt to seize control of land administration in the FCT. “The recent removal of the director of urban and regional planning is likely part of Wike’s agenda to gain total control over the FCT’s land resources. The appointment of Chijoke Nwanko Eze, a known associate of Wike, as the new director of land in the FCDA, is a clear indication of the minister’s intentions,” Agaire continued.
The coalition also raised concerns over what they perceive as a possible ethnic and religious agenda in Wike’s appointments. “There is every indication that those working in AGIS will be removed and replaced by individuals loyal to Wike, possibly to marginalize certain groups within the FCT,” Agaire warned.
The group further criticized Wike’s focus on unnecessary infrastructure projects, such as the rehabilitation of already functional roads in areas like Maitama and Wuse, while neglecting more pressing issues such as the poor state of schools, hospitals, and other critical services. “Wike’s obsession with road projects in areas that do not need them is baffling. Why are taxpayer funds being spent on perfectly good roads when there are schools, hospitals, and other communities in dire need of attention?” Agaire questioned.
In closing, Agaire called on the federal government and relevant stakeholders to intervene before the situation deteriorates further. “The people of the FCT deserve better. We must act now to stop this creeping corruption in our land administration system before it becomes irreversible,” he urged.
The Concerned FCT Residents and their civil society partners pledged to continue their advocacy against what they described as “Wike’s empire-building tactics,” urging the public to remain vigilant and demand accountability from the FCT administration.
However, in recent publication on THISDAY Newspaper, the FCT Minister flayed government agencies in charge of land administration in the FCT as collaborators in Land Use Act contravention.
He disclosed this when he inaugurated the task force on the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for mass housing and the recovery of land use contravention fees.
He said the heads of the agencies, including Directors, Department of Development Control, Director, Department of Land Administration, Director of AGIS and Director, Department of Mass Housing were included in the task force to solve the problem they created.
“Part of the problem we are having is that the agencies’ development control is part of the problem; the land registry is part of the problem; Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) is part of the problem.
“That is why they are part of the task force to face the problem they have caused and solve the problem. No outsider will do it.
“So, you must be diligent. Of course, you know, I will monitor what you are doing, and this assignment will not last more than one month from today,” Wike said.
“He said the inauguration would ensure that each of the houses in mass housing estates has its own Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and pays for it.
He also insisted that those who contravened the Land Use Act must be recertified and pay penalties while decrying the situation where virtually all residential areas in FCT had turned to commercial.
“So, there must be a recertification and there must be penalties. The only way people can be deterred from doing this is to make sure that we discourage them and discouraging them means that if you want to build, you have a penalty to pay, and that penalty must be severe.
“In as much as we want to generate revenue, we also want to control the development of areas,” he said.
