Abuja, Nigeria – Mrs. Rita Lori Ogbebor, the widow of the late Colonel Paul Ogbebor, has condemned the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, for revoking the land interest of her late husband’s estate and attempting to demolish properties in the Life Camp area of Abuja. She revealed that her husband was one of the pioneers who contributed to building the Nigerian capital, making the current actions by the government unjustifiable.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Mrs. Ogbebor expressed her resolve not to personally appeal to President Bola Tinubu or Minister Wike over the matter. According to her, the move to revoke her late husband’s land rights, after over 40 years of ownership, undermines the legacy of those who helped develop Abuja.
“I am not saying the President should know me, but the people, the leaders, who surround and advise the President should know people like us, who oil the wheel of progress in this country. And when there is a problem like this, they should intervene,” Mrs. Ogbebor said.
She explained that her husband, an engineer, was given the land as part of his contribution to the development of Abuja. “My husband was one of those who built Abuja; they gave him a piece of land to work as an engineer. He brought people from all over the world to work with him. Now, after 42 years, they want to demolish it and give it to Chinda? Who is Chinda?” she queried, referencing the alleged beneficiary of the land reallocation.
Her remarks came on the heels of a heated standoff between Life Camp residents and FCT officials earlier this week. On Wednesday, residents resisted demolition efforts led by the FCT administration despite a subsisting court order reportedly prohibiting such actions. Viral videos shared on social media by influencer Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, showed bulldozers and officials clashing with residents. Otse alleged that the minister revoked the land and reallocated it to his cronies.
Mrs. Ogbebor, who described herself as a stakeholder in Nigeria’s development, criticized the government for ignoring court rulings and the plight of long-time landowners. “At the age of 84, should I beg the President because someone in my country is demolishing my house? No. I would rather die,” she declared passionately.
She called on individuals close to President Tinubu to raise the issue with him, emphasizing that justice should prevail for families like hers who have contributed to the nation’s growth.
The controversy surrounding Wike’s land revocation policies has drawn widespread public criticism, with many accusing the FCT administration of ignoring due process and favoring political allies. The affected residents of Life Camp continue to demand that the government uphold the law and respect court orders.
As tensions mount, all eyes are on the federal government to intervene and provide clarity on the legality of the FCT minister’s actions.