- Safiu Kehinde
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has vowed not to succumb to intimidation and blackmail following his clash with military personnel who stopped him from accessing a land in Abuja.
NPO earlier Reported that Wike and officials of the FCT Administration were on Tuesday met with strong resistance from the military personnel protecting a land claimed to be owned by a former Chief of Naval Staff.
As captured in series of now viral video, the minister engaged in a heated argument with the leader of the squad who vehemently denied the FCTA officials access to the land.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the fiasco, Wike held that land was illegally taken over by the military personnel acting on the orders of the retired Naval Chief whose name was not disclosed.
As contained in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, Wike personally visited the site on Tuesday after receiving reports that the soldiers drove away FCTA officials enforcing development control directives.
The Minister as quoted by Olayinka, disclosed that the officials of the Department of Development Control who visited the site to implement his directive, were chased away by armed soldiers allegedly acting under the instruction of the retired senior officer.
“You are aware that the land departments and the Development Control have the mandate to monitor illegal development and land grabbing,
“When this was brought to my attention, I instructed them to ensure that nothing takes place there, as there were no legal documents—no regional approval, no valid acquisition.”
“I was informed that the soldiers of the military had to chase them away, and I thought they were acting illegally,
“Today, while I was in the office, I was called again that the military had taken over the place. I had to come myself to see things. It’s really unfortunate.” Wike said.
He expressed shock that a person who once held a top military position could resort to such intimidation rather than follow due process.
Wike also disclosed that when the FCTA officials demanded documents to justify the occupation, none were produced.
The minister maintained that the FCT Administration would not tolerate the misuse of military power to obstruct legitimate urban regulation, stressing that the rule of law must apply to all as he vowed not to be intimidated.
“I don’t understand how somebody who attained that position cannot approach my office to say, ‘Look, this is what is going on.’ But simply because he’s a military man, he thinks he can use that to intimidate Nigerians. I am not one of those that will succumb to blackmail or intimidation,” the minister said firmly.
“The Director of Development Control said, ‘Bring the documents’ they don’t have them. ‘Bring approval for building’ they don’t have it. How can we continue to allow lawlessness to prevail? What about those who don’t have the military behind them? What about ordinary Nigerians?”
“I have spoken to the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff. They assured me that the matter will be resolved. We’re not here to have a shootout with anybody or cause chaos,
“But I will not allow this to happen. The same way we enforce our laws in other areas is the same way it will be done here.
“Nobody whether a former Chief of Naval Staff or anyone else will be allowed to carry out illegal development on government land.” Wike.
He reaffirmed his commitment to restoring order and accountability in Abuja’s land administration, warning that the FCTA would continue to reclaim encroached areas, no matter how powerful those involved may be.