Wike: “We Must Tread Cautiously on Open Grazing in FCT” — Minister Laments Land Encroachment, Policy Dilemma
Date: 14 May 2025 | By: IDNN Federal Policy Bureau
Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has broken his silence on the controversial issue of open grazing in Abuja, warning that rash decisions could escalate tensions in an already fragile national climate.
Speaking during a media chat on Monday, Wike said while no rational person supports cattle roaming on highways, governance demands “caution and understanding of Nigeria’s complexities.”
“Governance Is Not Private Business” — Wike
Wike stated bluntly:
“The country we are in is not an easy one. No rational person is happy seeing cows on the roads… but we must tread cautiously. Governance is not private business.”
He noted that despite existing plans to allocate 1,000 hectares for grazing reserves, the land has been overtaken by land grabbers and encroachers — complicating efforts to formalize pastoral land use.
Wike Balances Diplomacy with Frustration
The former Rivers Governor admitted that the slow progress is frustrating but insisted that deliberate policymaking is necessary.
“There’s already so much crisis. We don’t want to compound it. We’re doing everything we can.”
He cited pushback from vested interests as a major obstacle and hinted at behind-the-scenes efforts to reclaim encroached lands for their original purpose.
FCT Residents Demand Action
Urban Abuja residents have long decried the presence of herders in key city areas, raising fears of insecurity, accidents, and hygiene threats.
Civil society groups have pressured the FCT Administration to:
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Enforce anti-grazing laws
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Provide clear alternatives for herders
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End the ambiguity over land-use designation
But Wike insists that the right solution requires delicate negotiation, not confrontation.
