GRATITUDE TOUR: WIKE PROMISES FCT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE C OF O ON ANCESTRAL LANDS

By: Rabi Musa Umar

The Hon. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has pledged to grant the indigenous people of the FCT Certificate of Occupancy to their ancestral land in recognition of their sacrifices for the nation’s capital.

Barr. Wike made this historic commitment in Abuja on Wednesday, 4 March 2026 when he took his thank-you tour of Area Councils to the Abuja Municipal Area Council, to express his gratitude to the residents for their overwhelming support of candidates aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision in the recently concluded council elections.

Addressing a jubilant crowd, Barr. Wike emphasized that the sacrifice made by the original inhabitants to pave the way for the nation’s capital must be met with tangible recognition.

He said, “I will do everything possible so that you can have C of O. I know how painful it is because we come from somewhere…Our happiness comes from your happiness. We must change the pattern of politics in Abuja. We must recognize that wherever you go, there are people there. You must give them that recognition”, the Minister said.

The FCT Minister, who also reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to urban renewal and infrastructure development, vowed to ensure that the ongoing Apo Karshi Road is completed before the end of the year. He noted that earlier promises regarding vital infrastructure have already been met, proving that the current administration prioritizes the welfare of the people.

He also reminded the residents that his appointment as FCT Minister was a part of the deliberate policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that the FCT has representatives who are committed to the welfare of the people and promised that he will continue to do what is best for the people and will not give excuses.

The Minister congratulated the re-elected AMAC Chairman, Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, but issued him a stern reminder to stay focused on the people’s interests.

He also used the occasion to advise residents to be weary of power-hungry politicians who do not have the interest of the people at heart, stressing that they only want power for selfish interests and would disappear as soon as they are elected into office.

He said, “Relationship must be symbiotic. Never again will politicians come and deceive us; after voting you will never see them again…You must vote for somebody who knows how you feel. Vote for people whom if you call them in the night, they will answer you in the language you understand”.

Earlier in his remarks, the re-elected AMAC Chairman, Hon. Maikalangu thanked the FCT Minister for his unwavering support to the Area Council and to him as a candidate during the elections, recalling the Minister’s repeated calls on the election day, which he said provided a significant boost.

Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers in AMAC, the Sa’Peyi of Garki Chiefdom, HRH (Dr) Usman Nga Kupi, expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and to the FCT Minister for the massive developments carried out by the government in the Federal Capital City.

The Sa’Peyi, however, lamented the situation in which plots of land were being allocated in settlements already inhabited by the indigenous people of the FCT and appealed to the Minister to grant Certificates of Occupancy to the indigenous people so that they would no longer be at the mercy of developers.

He also assured the Minister of the support of the traditional rulers of the FCT towards ensuring that he succeeded in the mandate given to him by the President.