The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has blamed political influence for the approval of buildings constructed on waterways in Abuja, saying the practice has contributed to flooding in parts of the nation’s capital.
Key Highlights
- Wike blames political influence for approvals granted to buildings constructed on waterways in Abuja.
- Flooding in Lugbe and areas around the Abuja airport has exposed violations of the Abuja Master Plan.
- The FCT Administration plans to enforce regulations against structures obstructing natural water channels.
- Wike said some buildings received approvals allegedly through political connections rather than proper planning procedures.
- Officials who approved developments that violated planning laws should be held accountable.
Wike spoke on Wednesday, during a media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he said recent flooding in areas including Lugbe and communities around the Abuja airport had exposed persistent violations of the Abuja Master Plan.
The minister said the FCT Administration has identified locations where buildings and other structures were obstructing natural water channels and would take enforcement measures against such developments.
“It’s not about what happened yesterday, whether that was a result of the blocking of the channels of water. But I know Lugbe. We had houses blocking natural channels of water,” Wike said.
He disclosed that more than 40 houses were affected by flooding in one of the communities visited by officials, questioning how structures built on waterways obtained development approvals.
“Another question is, who approved the building there in the first place?” he asked.
Wike acknowledged that some of the affected buildings had received official approvals but said such approvals were, in some cases, obtained through political influence rather than compliance with proper planning regulations.
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“I’m not saying there’s no approval. I agree. What I’m saying is that sometimes it’s under influence,” he said.
He stressed that approvals obtained through political connections could not override the Abuja Master Plan, insisting that planning authorities must enforce existing regulations.
Wike also said officials who approved developments that violated planning laws should be held accountable, while property owners and developers must comply with approved land-use plans.
According to him, previous administrations’ failure to enforce planning regulations would not prevent the current FCT Administration from taking action.
“The fact that the government did not implement does not mean that another government that comes will not implement,” he said.
The minister also rejected claims that projects awarded under the current administration had been abandoned.
Wike said the FCT Administration inherited several projects from previous governments and had completed most of them.
He said 107 capital projects had been awarded under the current administration, with 76 already completed.
He added that another 10 projects were expected to be completed before the 2027 general elections.
“We inherited from Obasanjo’s administration 25 projects. We have completed 23 projects. Two are ongoing,” Wike said.
The minister argued that projects still under construction should not be labelled abandoned, challenging critics to compare the administration’s project delivery record with those of previous administrations.
“For the first time in the history of that city, no administration since 1939 has been able to award that number of projects and complete that percentage of projects,” he said.
Wike also dismissed speculation that his prolonged presence in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections amounted to an attempt to relocate from Abuja.
He said his visit was aimed at reconnecting with residents and monitoring political developments in the state.
“It’s not about relocating, it’s about coming home. To live with your people and talk to them,” he said. The former Rivers State governor said his political activities would continue alongside his responsibilities as FCT minister.
“I’m the general commander of the political infantry,” Wike said.
Wike also defended his decision to boycott the recent conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), describing the event as poorly organised.
He accused the leadership of the association of allowing individuals he described as “traitors” to take charge of the organisation.
“I don’t pretend. I don’t attend something as a jamboree. I don’t attend something that traitors are in charge,” Wike said.
When asked whether he was referring specifically to the NBA leadership, the minister answered in the affirmative.
He also questioned the association’s decision to provide a platform to individuals he alleged had acted against the rule of law.
Wike cited the alleged closure and obstruction of a court in Rivers State, arguing that professional and political organisations should be guided by principles, accountability and respect for the rule of law.
