Abuja flooding: Wike vows to demolish all houses on water channels

Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has declared an immediate and uncompromising demolition of all structures erected on Abuja's water channels. The minister vowed that no property, regardless of the owner's influence or political standing, would be spared. This includes senators and other prominent Nigerians who have built on designated waterways.

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I am going to bring those houses down. Any house that is found on the channel, water channel will go down.

Wike stated that the demolition drive would continue throughout the week, warning officials against any delays or attempts to shield defaulters. He anticipates political backlash, particularly during the election season, but remains resolute. "Whether there's election oh, there's no election oh, all those houses will go down," he asserted.

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From today to Saturday, if the development control delay, let them find any excuse to run away. They cannot.

The minister emphasized that these illegal structures have existed for years under previous administrations and belong to affluent individuals, not the poor. He attributed the recent flooding in Abuja to a combination of natural weather patterns and significant man-made factors. These include developers blocking water channels, construction on unsuitable land, government officials neglecting drainage maintenance, and residents' indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

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Some of them are senators. Some of them are big men.

Wike also expressed concern over the conversion of green areas into parks, distinguishing it from illegal construction on water channels. He noted that these conversions are sometimes linked to older land allocations.

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The next thing you will see campaign now, ‘Oh, why is he doing this during period of election?’ That is the next campaign you will see now. ‘Stop him! Let us finish election.’ Whether there’s election oh, there’s no election oh, all those houses will go down.