Abuja – The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has strongly criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over the reported allocation of the Old Parade Ground, Garki, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) for its political activities.
The SDP, in a statement issued on Monday, accused Wike of partisanship, arguing that the decision undermines the neutrality expected of his office. According to the party, public facilities like the Old Parade Ground are meant to serve all political parties and civic organisations on equal terms, rather than being turned into what it called “a platform for advancing the agenda of the ruling party.”
Party officials further alleged that Wike’s decision amounted to “weaponising public property” for political advantage, warning that such conduct could compromise the credibility of the democratic process. They stressed that, as a minister of the Federal Republic, Wike is duty-bound to uphold fairness and inclusivity in the administration of the FCT, rather than being seen as a political actor for the APC.
“The allocation of the Old Parade Ground to APC sends a dangerous signal ahead of 2027,” an SDP spokesperson said. “It not only raises concerns about abuse of office but also sets a precedent that may shut out opposition voices from access to public spaces in the capital city.”
The party urged President Bola Tinubu to caution the FCT Minister and ensure that public venues in Abuja remain accessible to all stakeholders, regardless of political affiliation. It also called on civil society organisations and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take note of what it described as “early signs of bias” in the build-up to the next general elections.
Meanwhile, political analysts have observed that Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and a key figure in the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has maintained close ties with the APC since joining Tinubu’s cabinet, a move that continues to attract criticism from opposition circles.
The SDP vowed to resist any form of political exclusion in the FCT, insisting that the era of monopolising public spaces in favour of one party must be brought to an end.
