Daniel Bwala, the spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Council during the 2023 elections, has criticized the plan of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to demolish buildings in Abuja that are not in the original Master Plan.
Speaking on Channels Television’s “Politics Today,” Bwala challenged the minister’s proposal, suggesting that if the original Master Plan of the FCT were to be followed strictly, certain government assets, including the President’s residence at Aso Villa, would also need to be demolished.
Bwala argued that there are more pressing issues for the FCT minister to focus on than demolition, emphasizing that the FCT is an administration, not just a Ministry of Works. He stated that there are many important aspects to managing the FCT aside from demolition.
He mentioned that Aso Villa, the seat of power where the President resides, is not part of the original Master Plan and would need to be demolished under this approach. Additionally, he pointed out that various military barracks within the FCT were not part of the original plan and would also require demolition.
Furthermore, Bwala noted that the expansion of Asokoro, where many governors have liaison offices or private homes, and other Federal Government assets in strategic locations were not part of the original Master Plan and would need to be demolished as well.
While acknowledging Wike’s capacity to deliver as a minister, Bwala urged him to approach his duties without resorting to confrontation.
This debate highlights the complexities and challenges of urban planning and development, particularly in the context of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city. Balancing the preservation of original plans and the accommodation of evolving needs and structures is a common issue in city planning worldwide.
