The first street constructed in Abuja was the Festival Road, which was later renamed Moshood Abiola Road. However, due to its historical significance, many old schools still refer to it by its original name. This name was derived from the most significant landmark along the street, the Festival Ground, as designated in the Abuja Land Use Plan.
The first Independence Day celebration in Abuja took place on October 1, 1982, at the Festival Ground during the Shagari administration. Many of our national heroes, including all the presidential candidates from the 1979 election, were in attendance. On the same ground in 1986, former President Babangida appeared and took a national salute while wearing a Navy uniform, rather than his Army attire, to the admiration of all who witnessed the occasion.
The shifting of the National Day celebrations and conventions to Eagle Square, when it was built, led to the Festival Ground being regarded as the Old Parade Ground. Nonetheless, it was not intended to halt similar functions of lesser magnitude at the Festival Ground. These include low-keyed National and Children’s Day celebrations, which were sometimes delegated to the FCT Minister by the President, as well as other FCT-based functions and sporting activities. Additionally, almost all national events at Eagle Square require the support of the Old Parade Ground.
Part of the security measures to ensure successful events includes the accreditation of official invitees and delegates for onward transportation to Eagle Square during National Day celebrations or national conventions of major political parties in Nigeria. The Old Parade Ground is among the venues designated for these purposes.
Recently, the FCT Administration allocated 2 hectares from the Old Parade Ground as Plot No. 4742 Cadastral Zone A01 Garki I District to the ruling APC for the construction of its National Secretariat. The certificate of occupancy, with its number now trending on social media, has raised significant concerns.
This allocation must conform to the approved land use and be compatible with surrounding uses. The Festival Ground is classified as public institutional land, meant for the benefit of all citizens without discrimination. A recommendation for allocation to a political party by any Town Planner or Land Officer represents a professional compromise. It violates Civil Service rules and regulations, as well as grossly breaches professional ethics, subject to sanctioning by any regulatory body.
Converting the Old Parade Ground for use by any political party is not only incompatible but also a gross violation of the Abuja Master Plan. The FCT Minister is an appointee of the APC government, hence the allocation to the APC rather than any other party. None of the ruling parties before the APC ever committed such an act of impunity. This sets a dangerous precedent that has not been seen in any past FCT Administration.
Only three days ago, while receiving a report from a committee on illegal land conversion, the FCT Minister stated that business as usual would not be tolerated for those flouting the city’s land use laws. This statement raises questions about his credibility if he does not set a good example. The Minister promised to uphold the Abuja Master Plan on his first day in office, yet he has ended up undermining it by violating the regulations concerning Transportation Facility Lands, Parks and Green Areas, and now Public Institutional Land.
Former President Buhari, of blessed memory, was the founding father of the APC. He would not have allowed such violations to be associated with the APC he built. Throughout his tenure, his ministers did not permit the abuse of the Abuja Master Plan. Recently, while hosting visitors, President Tinubu was quoted as saying, “part of what we inherited from Buhari was his honesty, transparency, and justice.” The responsibility now lies with him to take the necessary action.
Certainly, power is transient, whether we like it or not. This allocation of land poses a significant risk for the APC. Leaders must not be blinded by the delusions of power; they must recognize the dangers that could tarnish the glory of their party. They must prevent situations that could make it difficult to uphold the reputations of their platform, whether in power or out.
Assuming the APC loses the next election, this illogical allocation will undoubtedly be revoked without delay, and any structures built on it would be demolished. This would not be the first demolition on that land; previous administrations have cleared corner shops built earlier by a prior FCT Administration. A stitch in time saves nine.
