FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has ordered the demolition of buildings blocking waterways across Abuja, and he wants the exercise completed by Saturday. Wike announced the directive this week as heavy rainfall continued to trigger flooding in several parts of the Federal Capital Territory. Consequently, residents in flood-prone areas should brace for bulldozers moving through their neighborhoods before the week ends.

Speaking on the matter, Wike declared that his administration would not spare any structure sitting on a designated water channel. “Any house that is found on the water channel will go down,” he said. Furthermore, he insisted that the demolition would proceed regardless of who owns the affected property. Indeed, he revealed that some of the buildings marked for removal belong to senators and other influential figures. Nevertheless, Wike maintained that no one would receive special treatment simply because of their status or connections.

The minister also pushed back against claims that his administration had ever approved construction on waterways. Instead, he blamed illegal encroachment for the persistent flooding that has plagued Abuja in recent years. As a result, he directed officials in the Development Control department to act swiftly and avoid excuses. Otherwise, he warned, the flooding would only worsen as the rainy season continues.

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FLOODING: We have seen the problems, we will solve them.

All Structures Built On Water Channels Will Be Demolished Starting From Today.

~ FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike https://t.co/hEDiXsO5IQ pic.twitter.com/k3k39quNZf

— A. Ayofe (@abdullahayofel) August 18, 2026

Beyond the demolition order, Wike toured flood-affected communities in Maitama and inspected major infrastructure projects around the city. During the visit, he examined drainage systems near the Southern Parkway and ISEX corridors. Meanwhile, his team reviewed ongoing road projects connecting Wuse to the Central Area. These inspections, therefore, appear to be part of a broader push to overhaul the city’s drainage network rather than a one-off response to recent floods.

Not everyone has welcomed the minister’s approach, however. Lawyer and social commentator Deji Adeyanju criticized Wike on social media, accusing him of “destroying Abuja” through poor urban planning. In response, Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, dismissed the criticism and argued that flooding problems in the capital predate the minister’s tenure. Additionally, Olayinka pointed to earlier flooding incidents in areas like Wuse, Jabi, and Lokogoma, which occurred long before Wike took office. Clearly, the debate over who bears responsibility for Abuja’s drainage woes is far from settled.

Meanwhile, the political stakes surrounding the demolitions remain high. Wike acknowledged that the exercise would likely spark backlash, especially with election season already heating up. Still, he expressed confidence that Abuja residents would ultimately support the cleanup once they see the results. So far, the FCT Administration has not released a full list of the buildings scheduled for demolition, though officials say enforcement teams will move from area to area throughout the week.

For now, property owners along Abuja’s waterways face an uncertain few days. Some may attempt to challenge the exercise in court, while others may simply wait to see whether enforcement teams reach their neighborhood before Saturday. Either way, Wike has made his position unmistakably clear: buildings on water channels have no place in the capital, and this week’s demolitions mark another step in his broader campaign to reshape Abuja’s infrastructure. As the rains continue to test the city’s drainage systems, residents will be watching closely to see whether this latest round of demolitions finally brings lasting relief from the flooding that has troubled the FCT for years.

Tags: Nyesom Wike, Abuja waterways, FCT demolition, Abuja flooding, Federal Capital Territory, Development Control, Abuja news