Table of Contents
- Motion Set Aside
- Land Revocations and Reallocations
- Senate Approval Process
- Waste Management Issues
- Senators' Opposition
- Conclusion
The Senate on Wednesday set aside a motion urging the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to halt land revocations and reallocations in Abuja, after lawmakers determined that parts of the proposal violated Senate procedures.
The motion, introduced by the senator representing the FCT, Ireti Kingibe, was withdrawn during plenary following objections from a majority of senators, who criticized the inclusion of land revocation allegations in matters of urgent national importance.
Mr. Wike, through the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), had overseen the demolition of various structures throughout Abuja, actions that authorities claim were necessary to ensure compliance with the city’s Master Plan.
In addition to demolitions, the FCTA has revoked and reassigned land titles, in some instances allocating them to new beneficiaries.
The FCTA has consistently argued that many of the affected properties either lacked valid titles or violated approved land-use plans, asserting that previous administrations allowed widespread violations that distorted the Abuja Master Plan.
Although Mrs. Kingibe raised concerns about these developments during plenary, the Senate ruled that the motion did not qualify as urgent national importance and instructed her to withdraw it.
Earlier in the session, Mrs. Kingibe relied on Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders to introduce a motion she deemed urgent, noting that such motions could be entertained without prior notice if the presiding officer granted approval.
She explained that she had informed the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of her intention and received his consent before presenting the motion.
The proposal sought Senate intervention regarding deteriorating waste management and sewage services in the FCT, protection of designated green areas, and an investigation into the alleged unlawful takeover of land belonging to Bwari General Hospital.
While presenting the motion, the FCT senator expressed concern that refuse collection had reportedly collapsed across several districts of Abuja, resulting in piles of waste in residential, commercial, and public areas.
She attributed the situation to the prolonged non-payment of contractors and workers under the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and other FCT agencies, claiming they had gone unpaid for nearly nine months.
According to her, the resulting industrial actions crippled essential municipal services.
Mrs. Kingibe further alleged that despite outstanding debts to contractors from March to October 2025, the FCT administration awarded new waste management contracts, retaining only about half of the unpaid contractors while hiring new ones.
She claimed that the newly appointed contractors had communicated to the minister that operations could not commence without a 30% mobilization fee, a development she stated had exacerbated the refuse crisis.
She cautioned that prolonged sewage blockages and waste accumulation, now stretching close to eight months, posed serious public health risks, including the potential for waterborne diseases and environmental pollution.
The senator also accused the FCT administration of proceeding with demolitions and land reallocations despite ongoing court cases, actions she claimed undermined the rule of law.
Referring to a dispute involving the University of Abuja, she argued that such actions violated the FCT Act of 1976, the Land Use Act of 1978, and Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the National Assembly to investigate administrative conduct in the public interest.
She urged the Senate to instruct the FCT minister and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to suspend all land revocations, reallocations, and alterations to green areas pending a comprehensive audit of compliance with the Abuja Master Plan.
During the discussions, several senators opposed the inclusion of land matters in the motion.
Borno North Senator, Tahir Monguno, who initially supported the motion, later withdrew his endorsement.
The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, dismissed the allegations against the FCT minister.
“There are now developments in the FCT. The current minister has transformed Abuja. He’s performing exceptionally well.
You cannot resolve all issues simultaneously. If there are other areas that need attention, we should engage our committee to collaborate with the minister so that he can do more,” he stated.
The Senate maintained that Mrs. Kingibe had only received approval to address issues concerning waste management, asserting that land revocations did not meet the criteria for urgent national importance.
Similarly, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele argued that matters presented under urgent national importance must genuinely address national concerns, adding that the allegations should instead be brought forward as a substantive motion with prior notice.
Following the discussions, Mr. Akpabio requested that Mrs. Kingibe withdraw the motion, a directive she accepted.
“I will re-present it as a substantive motion on waste management,” she stated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the outcome of the Senate's motion regarding land revocations in Abuja?
The Senate set aside the motion calling for the suspension of land revocations and reallocations in Abuja, citing procedural violations in the proposal.
What concerns did Senator Ireti Kingibe raise during the plenary session?
Senator Ireti Kingibe raised concerns about the deteriorating waste management and sewage services in the FCT, the alleged unlawful takeover of land belonging to Bwari General Hospital, and ongoing demolitions despite court cases.
How did the Senate respond to the allegations regarding the FCT minister's actions?
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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