ABUJA — Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Friday stunned traditional rulers in Abuja with land allocations and a waiver of Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) fees, in what he described as a reward for their role in keeping peace across the territory.
The minister said the move was directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who he noted was pleased with the contributions of royal fathers, especially during the peaceful conduct of the last Area Council elections.
“This is the first time we had such a peaceful election in the FCT, and you played a major role,” Wike told the monarchs.
In a major relief to the beneficiaries, Wike announced that all statutory payments attached to the land allocations have been scrapped.
“The President said you should not pay. How can you start paying for land that ordinarily belongs to you? So those fees have been waived,” he declared.
The minister stressed that the gesture was part of efforts to recognise indigenous communities and traditional institutions, despite the legal status of Abuja as federal territory.
“We cannot deny that people were here before the FCT was created. We must give honour to whom honour is due,” he said.
Wike also revealed that the government would provide utility vehicles to the traditional rulers to aid their duties, urging them to continue supporting government policies and maintaining peace in their domains.
He highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects across satellite towns, including major road works linking Kuje, Gwagwalada and Zuba, insisting that development must not be limited to the city centre.
“The government is for everybody, and you can already see the difference with what we are doing in the satellite towns,” he added.
Responding, the Ona of Abaji, Adamu Baba Yunusa, who chairs the FCT Council of Chiefs, thanked the President and the minister for the gesture and pledged continued support for the administration.
He assured that traditional rulers would sustain efforts to promote peace and stability across the FCT.
