FCT Minister Labels Adeyanju’s Protest Against Demolitions A ‘Search For Relevance

In a sharp exchange of words, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister and lawyer, Nyesom Wike, has criticized fellow lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, for opposing recent demolition activities in Abuja. Adeyanju, alongside activist Vincent Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, had led a protest condemning the Minister’s handling of the demolition of Ruga, a settlement along Airport Road.

Speaking during the protest, Adeyanju declared, “There is no justification for this demolition,” while calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene. Protesters carried placards urging the President to remove Wike from office over his role in the demolitions.

Responding to Adeyanju’s remarks, Wike dismissed the criticism, claiming it was fueled by personal grievances and a quest for relevance. In a statement to journalists, Wike alleged that Adeyanju’s actions were motivated by his failed political ambitions within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

“I saw one young man, they call him Adeyanju. He is from Kogi State,” Wike said. “This young boy came to me that he wants to be the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, and I said no. I said he won’t be, and he was not. I have no regret about it. He has suddenly become a civil society activist. He has no job, and that’s why he decided to turn to a civil society activist.”

The exchange has added to the growing controversy surrounding the demolitions in the FCT, with both lawyers standing firmly on opposing sides of the debate.