Daniel Otera
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has expressed regret over the tense confrontation involving FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, and armed naval personnel at a disputed construction site in Gaduwa District. Despite the apology, officials insist the property at the centre of the clash is an illegal development with no lawful title.
Senior officials briefed journalists after Friday’s FCT Executive Committee meeting, offering a detailed account of the events that led to the public altercation. According to them, those claiming ownership of the land and linked to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd), have no valid documentation recognised under Abuja’s land administration laws.
The director of Development Control, Tpl Mukhtar Galadima, began the briefing with a formal apology to the minister, describing the incident as unfortunate and avoidable.
“It is with a sense of commitment, emotion and regret that we address this press conference on the incident that happened on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the Gaduwa District,” he said.
Galadima explained that the matter started on 17 October, when monitoring officers discovered ongoing construction along the Southern Parkway corridor. Attempts to inspect the approval documents were met with hostility from naval personnel guarding the site.
He said the officers only produced a letter of intent issued in 2007 by the Department of Parks and Recreation, a document he dismissed as insufficient for development.
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“What was eventually provided was merely a letter of intent issued in 2007 by the Department of Parks and Recreation, not a formal approval,” he stated.
Galadima recalled confronting the site officer over the absence of proper authorisation. “I said, as a lawyer, there is a clear difference between submission and approval, and you know it is illegal to commence development in the Federal Capital Territory without approval. He said he is aware, but the solution is under process. I said, then this development is illegal.”
He justified his decision to alert the minister, noting that security risks had escalated. “We noticed the impending danger because armed men were strategically positioned, ready to shoot. And seeing this, I sent a distress call to the Honourable Minister.
“I want to sincerely apologise to the Honourable Minister for dragging him into this situation. I apologise to the Honourable Minister, indeed to all Nigerians for what happened.”
Providing legal clarification, the director of Lands Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, said the claimants relied on a document that carries no legal weight.
“The claimants have relied on a letter of intent issued by the Department of Parks and Recreation in 2007, 18 years ago,” he noted. “Letter of intent, not statutory right of occupancy. I wish to make it clear that in the FCT, the only thing that gives you title to land is statutory right of occupancy. Letter of intent is not a title.”
Nwankwoeze added that the group also failed to meet mandatory development timelines. “They did not develop and complete development on the site within one year as required,” he said.
He stressed that no construction can be approved in Abuja without a vetted development plan. “Beyond not having title, in Abuja you cannot build anything without approval of the plans you submitted to ascertain that what you propose to develop is in line with the dictates of the master plan.”
Despite expressing regret over the confrontation, both officials maintained that the enforcement action taken at the site was in line with the FCT Act of 1976 and the Urban and Regional Planning Law of 1992, aimed at protecting the integrity of the Abuja master plan.