RismadarVoice Reporters
August 18, 2026
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate demolition of structures built on designated water channels across Abuja, warning that the exercise will affect property owners regardless of their social or political status.
Wike gave the directive against the backdrop of recent flooding in several parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
The minister said structures found obstructing water channels would be removed and that the enforcement would continue irrespective of the approaching election season.
He also warned officials of the FCT Development Control Department against delaying the exercise or attempting to protect influential property owners.
According to Wike, some of the buildings affected are reportedly owned by serving lawmakers and other prominent Nigerians.
He said the government would not allow political considerations to interfere with enforcement of the Abuja master plan.
Wike argued that many of the structures were not recently constructed but had remained in restricted areas for several years.
He also dismissed suggestions that the demolition exercise was targeted at political opponents, insisting that the enforcement was based on planning and environmental regulations.
The minister acknowledged that changing weather patterns and unusually heavy rainfall had contributed to the recent flooding, but said human activities had significantly worsened the situation.
He identified construction on waterways, obstruction of drainage channels, inadequate desilting and indiscriminate disposal of waste as some of the major factors contributing to flooding in the capital. Wike said Abuja was experiencing the effects of climate change, with rainfall patterns becoming more intense than in previous years.
He nevertheless maintained that the government and residents had a responsibility to address human factors that increase the impact of flooding.
The minister also criticised the conversion of designated green areas into commercial parks and other developments.
He said previous unlawful approvals or informal claims over such land would not prevent the government from correcting planning violations.
Wike also defended his administration’s record in the FCT, citing the issuance of about 26,000 Certificates of Occupancy during his tenure.
He said the figure exceeded the number issued by two previous administrations over a combined period of 13 years.
The minister accused some critics of using the flooding crisis to attack the administration politically rather than acknowledging its efforts to improve land administration and infrastructure in the territory.
He, however, praised residents who alerted the government to genuine flooding problems and helped draw attention to areas requiring urgent intervention.
Wike insisted that he would not be intimidated by accusations that the demolition exercise was politically motivated.
He maintained that the government’s priority was to protect residents, restore Abuja’s drainage system and enforce planning regulations, regardless of who owned the affected properties.
