SDP Faults Wike Over Allocation of Old Parade Ground to APC
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has strongly criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for allocating the historic Old Parade Ground in Area 10, Abuja, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the construction of its new national secretariat.
In a statement issued Monday, the SDP described the move as the “height of executive recklessness and abuse of power,” and urged President Bola Tinubu to revoke the allocation in the interest of public trust and national heritage.
SDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, said the Parade Ground is a national monument reserved for civic, cultural, and public events, and should not be handed over permanently to any political party. He alleged that the allocation was rushed through with “unprecedented speed” on August 8, 2025, when Wike approved the excision of two hectares (Plot 4742, Cadastral Zone A01, Garki District) for APC. According to him, both the Right of Occupancy and Certificate of Occupancy were issued the same day, with statutory fees waived.
The SDP further alleged that Wike’s decision was influenced by President Tinubu’s reported call at the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on July 24 for a befitting secretariat for the party.
Calling the action “a national fraud,” the SDP argued that the Old Parade Ground predates the construction of Eagle Square and holds historical value that must be preserved for future generations.
The party also accused Wike of “going overboard to please President Tinubu,” citing his recent renaming of the Abuja International Conference Centre after the president and other costly projects that have sparked public concern.
“Rather than build new world-class infrastructure, Minister Wike is busy converting national assets to political gifts. This act is not only unpatriotic but also a slap in the face of due process and good governance,” the SDP said.
The party urged Nigerians to resist what it described as the partisan appropriation of national monuments and insisted that public officials must respect transparency and accountability.
“No longer should citizens fold their hands and watch as our national heritage is gifted to political parties with reckless abandon,” the statement read.
The SDP concluded by calling on President Tinubu to act in the national interest and reverse the allocation of the Old Parade Ground to the APC.