The Nigerian Senate has asked the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to suspend the ongoing demolition of structures in Abuja, except those authorized by the court. This decision was made after a motion was raised by Senator Ireti Kingibe, who expressed concerns that the demolitions were not in line with court processes and had caused hardship for many residents ¹.
Kingibe’s motion was seconded by Senator Natasha Apoti-Uduaghan, who urged the Senate to direct Wike to stop the demolition of structures in the FCT and constitute an ad-hoc committee to probe the demolitions. However, some senators, including Karmi Sunday and Oyelola Ashiru, opposed the motion, stating that the Senate should hear from the FCT Minister before taking any decision ¹.
Despite the opposition, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, ruled in favor of the motion, stating that some of the demolitions had been authorized by the court, but the Senate should still investigate the matter. Akpabio also urged his colleagues not to be emotional about the issue but to look at the reasons for the demolitions ¹.
The Senate subsequently constituted an eight-member panel, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, to probe the demolitions since the beginning of Wike’s administration. The committee is tasked with investigating the demolitions and reporting back to the Senate ¹.
The demolitions in Abuja have been a contentious issue, with many residents complaining about the loss of their homes and businesses. The Senate’s decision to intervene and investigate the matter is seen as a positive step towards addressing the concerns of the affected residents ¹.
In a related development, Senator Kingibe had earlier staged a walkout when she was prevented from presenting her motion. However, she later returned to the chamber and apologized to her colleagues for her actions ¹.
The Senate’s decision to suspend the demolitions and investigate the matter is a significant development in the ongoing controversy surrounding the demolitions in Abuja. It remains to be seen how the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, will respond to the Senate’s decision ¹.
In conclusion, the Nigerian Senate has taken a significant step towards addressing the concerns of residents affected by the demolitions in Abuja. The decision to suspend the demolitions and investigate the matter is a positive development, and it is hoped that it will lead to a resolution of the controversy surrounding the demolitions ¹.
