The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed that rights activist Deji Adeyanju had approached him, seeking his endorsement to become the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a request he ultimately declined.
Wike further stated that after his refusal, Adeyanju, who became unemployed as a result, transformed into an “emergency activist,” consistently attacking the FCT Administration.
The minister made these comments during a live media chat in Abuja on Wednesday evening.
Adeyanju had recently criticized Wike for allegedly prioritizing development in the city center, an accusation the FCT Administration has repeatedly denied, providing video and photographic evidence to counter the claim.
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Additionally, Adeyanju led a protest last week against Wike over the demolition of the Ruga settlement, located along the Metro Line corridor in Wuye District.
Reacting, Wike said; “I saw one young man, they call him Adeyanju. He is from Kogi State. This young boy came to me that he wants to be the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP and I said ‘No’..
“I said he won’t be, and he was not. I have no regrets about it. He has suddenly become a civil society activist. He has no job and that is why he decided to turn to a civil society activist”.
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Shortly after the live media chat, Deji Adeyanju took to his Facebook page to say he was too busy with clients to respond, stating he would not comment until Friday. While he did not directly mention the Minister’s name, he used expletives in his post.
Earlier on Sunday, Wike had declared his intention to continue demolishing shanties and illegal structures in the FCT, emphasizing that the government would not be intimidated by blackmail from a few individuals who preferred to maintain the status quo.
That same Sunday, Wike convened an emergency security council meeting and, accompanied by security chiefs and journalists, visited the Ruga community in Wuye District.
The visit followed clearance operations conducted by town planning officials and security personnel in the area.
Reports indicated that a small group of squatters, accompanied by a lawyer, staged a protest. However, Abba Garu, the community’s spokesperson, acknowledged that they were illegal squatters and noted that previous administrations had conducted at least 22 demolitions in the area, but the residents often returned.
While Garu described the community as a “mini-Nigeria,” with people from various ethnic backgrounds, he appealed to the administration for compassion.
In response, Wike asked Garu to nominate four other community members to meet with officials and work together on a more humane solution.