The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has said that he is not ready to stop carrying out the demolition of illegal properties In Abuja.

Wike said this following the numerous criticism from the public after the minister oversaw the demolition of some structures in the FCT in recent months.

He has also defended the demolition of properties in Abuja, saying that he won’t be swayed by blackmail, adding that the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) will continue to destroy what it deemed as illegal structures in estates and shanties.

According to the FCT minister, the structures being demolished by the FCDA are properties illegally built on government lands.

“Let me use this opportunity to tell Nigerians and residents of Abuja, we are not afraid of blackmailing,” the minister stated during the distribution of operational vehicles to security agencies at the FCTA Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday.

“In fact, you cannot be in this kind of position and say you cannot be blackmailed particularly as regards this Abuja. There are so many land grabbers.

“Some of us have come to put our feet down. Let heaven fall. It is even better that heaven comes down now so that we would not be fasting again to go to heaven.”

He added that the FCDA would stop anybody who thinks they will take government land for whatever reason with formal approval.

Wike said his ministry would not look at anyone’s face, adding: “If you like be a civil rights activist or a television personality.

“What is wrong is wrong; no amount of blackmail can stop us. People take government property without approval or documentation.”

Meanwhile, Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Thursday revealed why the lawmakers cannot stop Wike from carrying out demolitions in Abuja.

The minister was accused of revoking the land titles to an estate in the FCT and issued the same to Saravera Nigeria Limited, and the Minority Leader and member of the House of Representatives representing Obio/Akpor Constituency, Kingsley Chinda.

Senator representing the FCT, Ireti Kingibe, tabled the matter before plenary, at the Senate, arguing that the demolitions were causing untold hardship to victims.

Kingibe pleaded with the Senate to intervene and prevent further demolition of structures, including estates already marked.

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) seconded the motion, asking that the demolitions should be stopped pending the outcome of a Senate investigation into the matter.

Akpabio, however, said that “all demolitions could not be stopped because some were ordered by the courts.

“The minister can continue with demolition of structures ordered by the courts in order not to be culpable of disobeying court orders.”

A nine-man ad hoc committee was set up to ascertain the propriety of the demolitions, while Wike was asked to appear before the committee.