Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday dismissed allegations of land grabbing levelled against his administration, describing them as unsubstantiated claims by individuals unwilling to develop their allocations.

Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja, the minister insisted that no land had been illegally appropriated under his watch, vowing to resign if any evidence to the contrary is established.

“If you find that I grabbed land illegally, I will resign as Minister,” Wike declared. “Everything people come out to claim, they cannot substantiate. What is all this issue of land grabbing? Do you grab what you control?”

The former Rivers State governor argued that what critics have branded as “land grabbing” is, in fact, the enforcement of development conditions tied to land allocations within the Federal Capital Territory.

According to him, several allottees had held on to parcels of land for between 15 and 20 years without any form of development, in contravention of the terms of grant.
“Some people held land for 15 to 20 years and did nothing. We said, develop it within six months or we take it back,” he said.

The minister’s remarks came amid mounting concerns in some quarters over the revocation of titles and the reallocation of choice plots in high-value districts, including areas around Jabi Lake, where new projects are underway.

Without disclosing specific details of the projects, Wike maintained that the administration’s actions were driven by public interest and urban renewal objectives.

“People took that land around Jabi for years and nothing happened. Now they say we are grabbing land. Why don’t you like to be surprised? It will be something you will be very happy about when it is done,” he stated.

He stressed that leadership was not about pleasing everyone but about taking firm decisions for long-term growth.

“Leadership is not about pleasing everybody. I take decisions, and I don’t go back. It may hurt you, but it’s for the growth of the FCT,” he said, adding that he would not succumb to blackmail or pressure.

On criticism trailing his style of governance, Wike said he was not seeking friendship or political validation.

“I’m not looking for friendship. I don’t do that. I do my job. Whether you like me or hate me, you cannot be blind to what is going on in Abuja. No matter how you abuse me, you cannot take away what is visible,” he said.

The minister likened his approach to a lizard that nods after falling from a tree, suggesting confidence in his decisions.

“When a lizard falls from a tree, it looks around and nods to itself. I know what I’m doing,” he added.

Addressing waste management concerns in the capital city, Wike acknowledged that while significant improvements had been made, challenges remain.

“Have we improved? Yes or no? We cannot say we have done 100 per cent, but we are doing our best,” he said, warning that officials responsible for lapses in refuse evacuation risk losing their jobs.