Abuja, October 17, 2025 – The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) witnessed yet another shocking episode of demolition today as the popular City Gardens and Restaurants complex in Abuja was torn down by order of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. The move, part of the minister’s ongoing urban renewal drive, has left many residents, investors, and hospitality business owners in disbelief.

The demolition, which reportedly took place in the early hours of Friday morning, drew widespread condemnation across social media platforms and from business associations. Bulldozers, escorted by a team of heavily armed security officers, descended on the property located in one of Abuja’s bustling leisure corridors. Within hours, the once vibrant hub was reduced to rubble, leaving workers stranded and business owners devastated.

A Shock to the City’s Hospitality Scene

City Gardens and Restaurants was not just another eatery — it was a well-known landmark that catered to tourists, expatriates, and Abuja’s growing middle-class. The complex featured outdoor gardens, event centers, a variety of restaurants, and entertainment lounges that collectively provided employment to hundreds of people.

For many residents, its demolition signals more than the loss of a leisure space; it symbolizes the government’s aggressive approach to development under Minister Wike’s administration. In recent months, Wike has embarked on a sweeping campaign to “restore the Abuja Master Plan,” demolishing hundreds of structures alleged to have violated city planning regulations.

Reactions from the Public and Stakeholders

The news spread rapidly, sparking outrage from affected business owners and concerned citizens. Videos and photos circulated online showing distraught workers watching helplessly as bulldozers crushed buildings and outdoor installations. The FCT Administration has yet to issue an official statement explaining the demolition, but insiders suggest it was part of the broader drive to reclaim “green areas and road corridors” allegedly encroached upon by private developers.

Business owners have expressed anger and frustration, describing the action as “arbitrary and insensitive.” One operator told DocuNews Central that they were given less than 48 hours’ notice to vacate. “We invested millions in this place. There was no adequate compensation, no alternative location, and no dialogue. They just arrived with bulldozers,” he lamented.

The Minister’s Justification: Restoring Order or Overreach?

Since assuming office in 2023, Nyesom Wike has become one of the most controversial figures in Abuja’s political and administrative landscape. His firm stance on demolitions has drawn both praise and criticism. Supporters argue that the minister is finally bringing discipline to a city long plagued by illegal developments, encroachments, and chaotic urban expansion. Opponents, however, accuse him of being high-handed and disregarding due process.

According to Wike, demolitions are essential to restore Abuja’s lost beauty and orderliness. He has repeatedly said that the FCT was never meant to accommodate indiscriminate structures, illegal extensions, or businesses operating in green or residential zones. “Abuja must not become another Lagos,” Wike once declared, emphasizing that his mission was to prevent urban decay and restore compliance with the city’s master plan.

Economic Fallout: Lives and Livelihoods Shattered

Beyond the political and legal debates, the demolition of City Gardens and Restaurants has dealt a severe economic blow to hundreds of families. The facility employed waiters, chefs, cleaners, gardeners, event planners, and security personnel. Many of these workers now face sudden unemployment, with no severance pay or government support.

Hospitality analysts warn that such demolitions may scare off investors from the capital city. Abuja’s leisure and tourism industry has been growing steadily over the past decade, providing an important boost to local revenue. By targeting high-value leisure facilities, critics say, the government risks stifling the very sectors that contribute to the FCT’s economy and social life.

“This will definitely send the wrong signal to local and foreign investors,” said a representative of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI). “No one will want to invest in a city where your property can be destroyed overnight without proper notice or legal recourse.”

Urban Renewal or Bulldozer Politics?

Urban renewal is a critical part of any modern city’s development plan. However, critics argue that the process in Abuja under Wike has become synonymous with bulldozer politics — where enforcement trumps engagement. Many property owners claim they were never given adequate time to present their documents or defend their claims before demolition began.

In September, Wike vowed that “no illegal structure will stand in Abuja,” regardless of who owns it. While this tough rhetoric resonates with those who want order restored, it also raises concerns about selective enforcement and the erosion of public confidence in governance.

Legal Questions: Due Process and Property Rights

Under Nigerian law, property rights are constitutionally protected. The FCT Administration is expected to follow due process, including proper notification, hearings, and compensation. Legal experts are questioning whether these procedures were duly observed before the City Gardens demolition took place.

Some reports suggest that the matter was already under litigation, which, if true, would make the demolition legally problematic. “Once a property is under dispute in court, any government action affecting it becomes sub judice,” explained a legal analyst who spoke to DocuNews Central. “Demolishing such a property before a ruling amounts to contempt and a breach of due process.”

Residents Speak: ‘We Need Order, Not Chaos’

While anger dominates online reactions, some residents have expressed cautious support for Wike’s actions. “Abuja was turning into a jungle of unplanned developments,” one resident commented. “If the minister is restoring order, that’s commendable. But there must be compassion and fairness.”

This sentiment captures the tension between governance and empathy. For many, the issue is not whether the city should be clean and organized, but whether the process can be humane, transparent, and consistent.

Historical Context: Wike’s Abuja Demolition Drive

Since his appointment, Wike has overseen numerous demolitions across key parts of Abuja, including Garki, Maitama, Guzape, and Kuje. His administration claims these actions are part of a long-overdue plan to reclaim green areas, road reserves, and drainage channels. Yet, many affected residents insist that some of the demolished properties had valid approvals issued by previous FCT authorities.

Critics accuse the administration of inconsistency, alleging that enforcement seems targeted more at politically weak individuals and small business owners, while powerful developers with questionable approvals remain untouched.

Broader Impact on Tourism and City Image

Abuja, often described as Nigeria’s most organized city, thrives on its image as a safe, clean, and investor-friendly capital. The demolition of prominent hospitality and leisure facilities like City Gardens risks tarnishing that image. Visitors, investors, and expatriates who frequent such establishments now view the city as unpredictable.

“Tourism is built on stability,” said a hospitality consultant based in Abuja. “When visitors see beautiful locations bulldozed without clear justification, it sends a message that the environment is unstable. That’s bad for business and bad for the city’s reputation.”

What Happens Next?

As dust settles over the remains of City Gardens, stakeholders are calling for investigations. Civil rights organizations have demanded transparency and justice for affected individuals. Many are also urging the National Assembly to look into the legality and human impact of ongoing demolitions in the FCT.

Observers believe that the government must learn to balance urban renewal with human dignity. Restoring the Abuja Master Plan should not mean destroying livelihoods or erasing businesses without proper engagement. The path to a beautiful city must be paved with fairness, accountability, and compassion.

Final Thoughts

The demolition of City Gardens and Restaurants Abuja stands as another defining moment in Nyesom Wike’s tenure as FCT Minister. Supporters hail it as a bold step toward urban order, while critics see it as another chapter in a governance style characterized by brute enforcement rather than dialogue.

For now, what remains certain is that Abuja’s landscape — both physical and political — is rapidly changing. Whether these changes will ultimately produce a more livable and prosperous capital or leave behind resentment and economic loss depends on how the government manages the aftermath of such actions.

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— Reported by DocuNews Central Staff Reporter, Abuja