The Abuja Original Inhabitants Youth Empowerment Organisation (AOIYEO) has expressed concern over ongoing demolition exercises affecting indigenous communities across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), alleging that some political actors may be attempting to exploit the situation to erode public confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the minister of the FCT Nyesom Wike.
Addressing journalists during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the executive director of AOIYEO, called on the FCT minister to immediately direct the Department of Development Control to suspend further demolitions pending comprehensive consultations and independent investigations into the circumstances surrounding affected communities.
David also urged the minister to convene an emergency town hall meeting involving indigenous communities, government agencies, traditional rulers, developers, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to address the growing concerns generated by demolition activities in various parts of the territory.
According to him, the establishment of a Fact-Finding and Advisory Committee on Demolition Matters in the FCT would provide a transparent mechanism for resolving disputes involving indigenous communities, developers, and government authorities while ensuring fairness and due process.
He noted that demolition exercises, although often undertaken to enforce development control regulations and urban planning policies, have increasingly generated public tension, legal disputes, and criticism due to what he described as inadequate community engagement and the absence of independent verification before demolition approvals are granted.
“Demolition exercises within the FCT, while often necessary for urban planning and enforcement of development control regulations, have increasingly generated tension, litigation and public criticism. A major gap is the absence of independent community interface and due diligence before demolition approvals reach the Honourable Minister’s desk,” David stated.
The AOIYEO executive director proposed that the committee should work closely with the Department of Development Control and the Department of Resettlement and Compensation to investigate and verify issues surrounding demolition requests before they are approved.
According to the proposal, the committee’s responsibilities would include interfacing with affected communities before demolitions are carried out, verifying claims of compensation by either government or private developers, and investigating cases where land within existing communities had allegedly been allocated and compensated before being resold to third parties.
He argued that such cases, where verified, should be treated as fraudulent and subjected to appropriate legal action.
David further explained that the committee would serve as an advisory body to the minister by submitting reports outlining its findings and recommendations before any demolition approvals are granted.
He said that where compensation has not been paid, the committee should be empowered to recommend the revocation of land allocations where developers lack the capacity to fulfil their obligations, mandate developers to work with the Department of Resettlement and Compensation to compensate affected residents, or defer demolitions until adequate resettlement arrangements have been concluded.
“In cases of overriding public interest, the committee should be able to propose modalities for peaceful resettlement and compensation to avoid violence and public criticism,” he said.
The organisation also recommended that the committee comprise representatives from the Office of the Minister, Department of Development Control, Department of Resettlement and Compensation, Legal Services Secretariat, traditional and community leaders from affected areas, civil society organisations with expertise in urban development, as well as security agencies including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
David said the proposed body would help reduce litigation, prevent disputes arising from land transactions, strengthen public trust in government decisions, and ensure that demolition exercises comply with the provisions of the FCT Act, the Land Use Act, and constitutional guarantees relating to fair hearing and compensation.
The AOIYEO executive director further alleged that certain political interests may be attempting to take advantage of the demolition crisis to weaken the relationship between indigenous communities and the current administration.
According to him, some individuals with political interests and land allocations within indigenous communities were allegedly pressuring the Department of Development Control to intensify demolition exercises for political purposes.
“We have information that some opposition elements who have plots within our communities are allegedly putting pressure on Development Control to demolish communities so that the issue can become a political campaign tool during the next election cycle,” David alleged.
He claimed that such actions, if left unchecked, could damage the relationship between indigenous communities, residents, and government institutions.
“They want to use these demolitions to create distrust between the people and the government. Their objective is to discourage support for the ruling party and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
David maintained that many indigenous residents had benefited from policies and programmes introduced under the administration of and implemented by the FCT Administration under Wike.
“The FCT today stands firmly with the current administration because of what the minister has done for indigenous people and residents. The only way many people believe they can repay Mr. President is through their votes in 2027,” he stated.
He further alleged that some developers may be exploiting their connections to obtain demolition approvals through questionable means, including the submission of misleading reports from relevant agencies.
According to him, the minister relies on reports from various government departments and security agencies when making decisions, making it necessary to establish an independent verification mechanism.
“The Honourable Minister cannot be everywhere at the same time. Reports are brought to him and he acts based on available information. That is why this committee is necessary—to verify the facts before any approval is granted,” David said.
He argued that requiring the endorsement of the proposed committee before demolition approvals are issued would significantly improve transparency, accountability, and public confidence in government actions.
David also suggested that the committee should develop clear guidelines governing demolition activities within indigenous communities and address issues relating to compensation for economic trees and other community assets.
