The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has strongly criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for allocating the historic Old Parade Ground in Area 10, Abuja, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for its new national secretariat.
The party condemned the move as “executive recklessness” and an “abuse of power,” urging President Bola Tinubu to immediately reverse what it described as a national blunder and a threat to public trust.
In a statement released in Abuja, SDP National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, expressed deep concern over the permanent transfer of a civic and cultural landmark to a political party. He noted that the decision was made with “unprecedented speed,” bypassing established administrative procedures and even waiving statutory fees.
According to the statement, on August 8, 2025, Minister Wike approved the excision and allocation of two hectares of the Parade Ground (Plot 4742, Cadastral Zone A01, Garki District) to the APC. Shockingly, the Right of Occupancy and Certificate of Occupancy were reportedly issued the same day—an act the SDP called “irregular and suspicious.”
The party emphasized that the Old Parade Ground, which predates the construction of Eagle Square, holds immense historical and national value and should be preserved for civic and cultural use.
The SDP linked Wike’s actions to alleged instructions from President Tinubu during the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on July 24, 2025, where the president reportedly called for a befitting party secretariat.
“It would be a national fraud if President Tinubu allows Wike, in his typical brash manner, to convert a public monument into party property,” the statement read.
The SDP also criticized Wike’s broader governance style, accusing him of prioritizing political showmanship over national interest. The party referenced his recent renaming of the Abuja International Conference Centre after the president and other high-cost projects that have drawn public scrutiny.
“Rather than investing in new world-class infrastructure, Minister Wike is turning public assets into political gifts,” SDP said. “This act is unpatriotic and undermines due process and good governance.”
Calling on all Nigerians to resist the politicization of national monuments, the SDP demanded accountability and transparency from public officials.
“Citizens can no longer afford to stand by while national heritage is handed over to political interests,” the statement concluded.
The party reaffirmed its commitment to defending Nigeria’s national assets and once again urged President Tinubu to revoke the allocation in the interest of the public and the preservation of history.
