The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has challenged the Academic Staff Union of Universities to justify its opposition to the reallocation of portions of the University of Abuja’s land, insisting that the union has no authority over land administration in the FCT.
The minister declined to comment on the opposition to the Rainbow Coalition in Imo and other states, stating that he would speak on the issues he had with Governor Hope Uzodimma after the presidential election.
Wike also declared confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s re-election prospects in Rivers State in 2027, urging residents to support the President.
The minister spoke on Thursday during his monthly media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and a town hall meeting in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.
Wike, who dismissed ASUU’s threat to embark on an industrial action over the reallocation of portions of the University of Abuja’s land, maintained that the responsibility for land administration and enforcement of the Abuja master plan rests with the FCTA.
He questioned the basis of ASUU’s opposition to the government’s decision to reallocate portions of the university’s land to private developers and government agencies.
He said the union had no business determining how land under the jurisdiction of the FCTA should be administered.
“What is the business of ASUU on our land? How is ASUU the owner of land? Is ASUU the owner of the union in Nigeria now? Is it the union’s right?” Wike questioned.
The minister faulted the university’s retention of a vast expanse of land, reportedly measuring 11,824 hectares, questioning the justification for holding such a large parcel without adequate development.
He argued that government should not allow extensive portions of land to remain undeveloped when they could be put to productive use in line with the FCT’s development plans.
Wike insisted that the FCTA’s actions were consistent with its statutory responsibility to regulate land use and ensure compliance with the Abuja master plan.
Reacting to ASUU’s threat to embark on a strike and challenge the land reallocation in court, the minister said the administration was prepared to defend its actions through the legal process.
He maintained that the union could approach the courts if it believed its rights had been violated but warned against using industrial action to pressure the government.
The minister accused the union’s leadership of resorting to threats and blackmail, urging it to respect established procedures rather than attempting to dictate government policy.
He further maintained that federal institutions could not lay claim to thousands of hectares of land indefinitely without proper documentation, approvals and evidence of utilisation.
The dispute followed a press conference by the Chairman of ASUU, University of Abuja chapter, Dr Sylvanus Ugoh, who warned that the union could no longer guarantee industrial harmony on the campus if Wike failed to reverse the disputed land allocations in the Giri District.
ASUU had argued that the 11,824 hectares originally allocated to the university were essential for its long-term expansion, agricultural research and infrastructure development.
The union expressed opposition to the FCTA’s decision to reallocate portions of the land, describing the move as an encroachment on the institution’s property.
However, Wike maintained that the FCTA would not reverse its position, insisting that all land allocations within the FCT remained subject to the regulatory authority of the administration.
Expressing confidence that Tinubu will win Rivers State in the 2027 presidential election, Wike said the political structure being mobilised across the state was firmly behind Tinubu.
Speaking at a town hall meeting in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he appealed to the people to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, as well as the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Kinsley Chinda, and other candidates contesting for legislative seats, Wike specifically cautioned the people against backing a son of the area contesting the governorship election on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, arguing that the party lacked the political strength to secure victory.
“I know one of your sons is running for governor under the NDC. We want our son to be governor, but we must be realistic. As it is today, he cannot be under that party. It is not possible,” he said.
The former Rivers State governor argued that political support should be guided by electoral realities rather than emotional attachment to candidates.
He noted that the area already had a governorship candidate and deputy governor from its political fold under the APC, adding that supporting another candidate on what he described as a weak platform would not advance the interests of the people.
Wike also dismissed the prospects of opposition parties mounting a formidable challenge against Tinubu in 2027, citing the internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party and difficulties in building a viable opposition coalition.
“Talking about the crisis in the PDP, I have said it will be difficult for us to present a credible presidential candidate that can challenge this election. Therefore, there is no need to bother ourselves. Let us continue to support Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
Defending the President’s economic policies, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy, Wike described the decision as evidence of courage and decisive leadership, arguing that previous administrations had avoided such measures because of their political implications.
Although he acknowledged that the policies had imposed hardship on Nigerians, the minister maintained that the sacrifices were temporary and necessary to reposition the economy.
“Leadership is key. This country requires leadership with courage. Our problem has been leadership,” he said.
Wike cited former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor and Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, as having questioned whether a conventional politician seeking a second term would have taken such politically risky decisions.
He expressed optimism that Tinubu’s policies would produce positive results when fully implemented and stabilised.
The minister also credited the administration with increasing federal revenue allocations to state and local governments, saying local government chairmen now had more resources to execute development projects.
On federal appointments, Wike claimed that Rivers State had secured no fewer than 47 positions under the Tinubu administration, describing the figure as unprecedented compared with previous administrations.
He contrasted the appointments with what he said the state received under former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari.
Wike further identified the completion of the Bodo-Bonny Road as one of the major benefits of the current administration to Rivers State, noting that the project had ended the dependence of some communities on water transportation for road access.
Recalling his achievements as Rivers governor, he listed road and bridge construction, rehabilitation of public facilities and the recognition of traditional rulers in Abonnema and neighbouring communities.
He challenged opposition politicians seeking the people’s support to explain their contributions to the development of Akuku-Toru.
The minister also criticised the presidential candidate of the NDC, Peter Obi, arguing that social media popularity and public displays of humility were insufficient qualifications for the presidency.
He said Nigerians needed a leader with the courage, capacity and political experience to take difficult decisions.
“If it is to vote for who will be the president of social media, vote for Obi. But when you are talking about the President of Nigeria, no. This country requires leadership,” he said.
Wike urged the people of Akuku-Toru to support APC candidates from the presidency to the state legislature, expressing confidence that Tinubu and other party candidates would secure victory in Rivers State.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Aboiya Bob-Fubara, pledged to continue mobilising residents in support of Tinubu’s re-election and other APC candidates.
