The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has been urged to urgently address the worsening waste management situation in Abuja to prevent a potential public health crisis.
Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, highlighted the issue in a post on his official X account on Friday.
“My primary concern is the state of waste management and disposal in Abuja. Clearly, the system has broken down and needs urgent attention,” Ajayi wrote.
“Refuse is now taking over the city. Minister Wike must act quickly to avert a public health crisis. While we commend his visible achievements in road construction and reviving abandoned projects, managing the city’s waste cannot be overlooked.”
Ajayi’s warning comes as heaps of garbage and foul odors increasingly occupy public spaces, raising concerns about sanitation and residents’ well-being.
Meanwhile, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has weighed in on a separate issue involving Wike, calling on President Tinubu to compel the minister to apologize to a serving naval officer, A. M. Yerima.
The dispute arose over a piece of land in Abuja linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff.
Falana criticized both Wike and the officer for taking the law into their own hands.
He noted that although Wike was performing his duties under Section 11 of the Land Use Act, his use of derogatory language toward the officer was inappropriate.
Citing a Ghanaian case where a minister had to apologize for insulting a taxi driver, Falana stressed the importance of dignity and respect in public office.
“No minister has the right to call any Nigerian a fool,” he said.
“The officer also violated the law by obstructing the minister from carrying out his legal duties. Both sides erred, but the situation could have been far more dangerous.”
Falana made these remarks during the opening of the Legal Year at the Faculty of Law, University of Abuja, organized by the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), UNIABUJA Chapter.
