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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday promised indigenous communities Certificates of Occupancy (CofOs) for their ancestral lands, aiming to resolve decades-long ownership disputes and protect local settlements.
Speaking during a thank-you visit to the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) after recent area council elections, Wike assured traditional leaders and residents of the administration’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The event drew stakeholders, youth groups, traditional rulers and political leaders, where Wike emphasised direct engagement and grassroots development.
Traditional leaders, led by the Sapeyi of Garki, Usman Nga Kupi, urged action on land allocations. “Most of our settlements, the indigenous settlements, plots are being allocated there, and we are all battling with those who are having allocation papers,” Kupi said in his address. “We want to request of you, sir… those areas that are being affected, they applaud, and the lands are being revoked, and then allow us to have fresh air.”
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Wike responded affirmatively, pledging to safeguard indigenous lands and issue CofOs. He recalled past interactions, noting how AMAC nominated the Saburi Road project, which has since been completed and commissioned. “You asked for Saburi Road. To the glory of God, that road has been commissioned,” Wike stated. “Relationship must not be one-sided. You do for me, I do for you.”
The minister highlighted President Tinubu’s mandate for accessible governance, criticising distant officials and opportunistic politicians. “The President does not want a minister of FCT who will sit in the office without knowing what the people of Ketti want, what the people of Kabusa want,” he declared. He also warned against “emergency corn eaters” who appear only during elections: “Never again should politicians deceive you. Some people never visited certain communities while in office, but suddenly become emergency contractors when they need votes.”
AMAC Chairman Christopher Maikalangu thanked Wike for his pre- and post-election support, recalling the minister’s calls and visits to areas like Ketti and Kabusa. “The honourable minister was calling me, ‘Mr Kalangu, are you sure everything is okay?’… On that note, I want to thank you for giving me that support,” Maikalangu said.
Wike reaffirmed collaboration with communities, vowing to complete projects like the long-delayed Pokashi Road and to foster inclusive development across the FCT.
