"SACK WIKE NOW!" Protesters Occupy Streets, Call for FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s Removal Over Demolitions in Abuja

Thousands of displaced individuals took to the streets of Abuja to protest what they described as the "senseless" demolition of their homes by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike. The protest, which gathered momentum yesterday, was spearheaded by prominent lawyer and human rights advocate Deji Adeyanju, who condemned the demolitions as an unjust attack on the vulnerable.

Adeyanju appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene, urging him to consider the harsh reality faced by the displaced residents who, due to insecurity, had previously fled regions such as Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe. "There is no justification for this demolition. These people are already barely surviving and now face the loss of their homes in the capital," Adeyanju remarked. He described the demolitions as excessive and a blatant disregard for the rights of the poor.

The ongoing demolitions have been executed under a task force, ‘Operation Sweep,’ reportedly mandated by Wike. Many affected residents have witnessed their homes being destroyed, with properties worth millions of naira reduced to rubble. According to Adeyanju, this "heavy-handed tactic" is an assault on those already marginalized. "We are sounding a warning to those in government that peace is only achievable if the poor are allowed to live peacefully. When the poor cannot sleep, it affects everyone," he asserted.

Among the protest’s vocal participants was Vincent Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, who criticized the government’s actions, emphasizing the devastating toll these evictions have on vulnerable populations. “The repercussions of this will have a heavy toll on Abuja. These people have been rendered homeless amid the ongoing hardship in the country. It is sad that the elite think the poor are not part of society,” he expressed.

Protesters collectively urged President Tinubu to halt the demolitions immediately and investigate the reported reallocation of land, which they believe is intended to benefit the wealthy at the expense of the poor. The growing movement, with widespread participation, reflects deepening concerns over housing rights, economic hardship, and the government’s accountability in protecting its citizens.