Wike Rejects Senate’s Housing Proposal for Beggars,Almajiri in Abuja,Citing Capital’s Unique Status

Abuja, FCT – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has firmly rejected a Senate proposal to construct dedicated housing facilities for beggars and Almajiri in Abuja, emphasizing that the nation’s capital requires a distinct approach to address the issue of street begging.

Wike’s declaration came during the defence of the 2025 FCT Appropriation Bill at the National Assembly on Wednesday, where he was accompanied by the Minister of State for FCT, Mariya Mahmoud, and other top FCT administration officials.

The suggestion for housing facilities was notably put forward by Senator Ali Ndume, who advocated for a social welfare approach akin to what Kano State implemented decades ago, involving the identification of indigent individuals and the establishment of camps for their feeding and training.

However, Minister Wike swiftly dismissed the proposal, stressing that Abuja’s unique position as the seat of government and host to international bodies and critical security infrastructure necessitates a different strategy. “This is the Federal Capital Territory. The way things are done in Kano, Rivers, Sokoto, or Ondo will not be the same as what happens in the FCT,” Wike stated. “These people you are talking about are not indigenes. In a city like this, which is the FCT, where all the international bodies reside, it will be difficult for us to follow that kind of pattern.”

He further highlighted the security implications, noting, “On security, understand that this is where the President resides, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Defence Headquarters are here. We don’t have the autonomy to take over the entire security architecture of the FCT.

Wike also pointed out the logistical and financial limitations of the FCT administration in sustaining such extensive rehabilitation programs. While acknowledging the commendable intention behind such social initiatives, he argued that a lasting solution demands a multifaceted, collaborative effort to tackle the systemic issues contributing to urban poverty and homelessness. He remarked, “Some of them, even when you support them, still come back to beg. It is not just about establishing a camp; it is about sustainable engagement and ensuring they stay off the streets.

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Instead, the Minister reiterated his stern warning to roadside beggars to vacate the streets or face arrest by enforcement agents. This follows an ultimatum issued on October 27, 2024, for individuals to leave the roadsides, citing their growing presence as a threat to urban security.

This stance by the FCT Minister underscores the ongoing challenge of street begging in Abuja, a problem that various administrations have attempted to tackle through measures such as repatriation and rehabilitation, often with limited long-term success. While the Senate advocates for a compassionate, structural approach, Wike’s administration appears to prioritize urban order and security, emphasizing the capital’s unique national and international significance.