Weak and vulnerable: A disturbing oversight in FCT governance

The government exists to serve the people and protect their welfare, regardless of their social or economic status. One of the primary purposes of governance is to ensure the dignity and security of its most vulnerable. That is why it is deeply disturbing that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, […]

The government exists to serve the people and protect their welfare, regardless of their social or economic status. One of the primary purposes of governance is to ensure the dignity and security of its most vulnerable. That is why it is deeply disturbing that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, recently told the Senate that it is not his responsibility to cater to beggars and other economically marginalised groups who have found refuge in Abuja.

This statement, echoed without rebuttal within the hallowed chambers of the Senate, raises serious questions about the FCT’s understanding of its obligations. Does the FCT not have a constitutional and moral duty to care for its weak and vulnerable? Governance should be built on inclusion, compassion, and responsibility — not neglect and elitism.

Mr. Wike’s comparison of the FCT to states like Kano in an attempt to absolve himself of responsibility reflects a troubling mindset. Abuja may be a cosmopolitan city, but that does not mean it exists in isolation from the real issues facing Nigeria. Within the structure of the FCT Administration, isn’t there a Department of Social Welfare? What exactly is its role if not to address the needs of the poor, displaced, and destitute?

A review of the FCT budget would likely reveal ample funds allocated to social services. Yet year after year, these funds seem to vanish — lost to overheads and misapplication — leaving behind a growing population of neglected, vulnerable people. While Mr. Wike is often hailed as *Mr. Projects* for awarding contracts and beautifying elite areas, ethical governance demands more than concrete and green spaces. It demands that we put people first — especially the weak and the voiceless.

The growing presence of beggars, destitute individuals, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) is not just a social anomaly — it is an indictment of governance failure. These are not people to be expelled or hidden away; they are the human fallout of systemic corruption, insecurity, and abandonment.

 

The need to do more

Power often robs leaders of empathy, and so they address complex issues in overly simplistic ways. A Southeast senator recently suggested that slums near the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport should be demolished because they are an embarrassment to elites and foreign investors. But poverty is not the embarrassment — corruption is. Nigeria is an oil-rich nation, yet our people live in multidimensional poverty. Leaders blame overpopulation for our poverty, but ignore how billions meant for the poor are stolen, as exposed in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs scandal.

Let us not be deceived by the elitist narrative that blames victims. The beggars and almajiri we see are the human debris of corruption, greed, and failed leadership. You can’t talk about good governance without addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality. Recently, the EFCC confiscated 754 houses from former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele. How can we expect the masses to thrive when leaders hoard national wealth for their personal indulgence?

Banditry and insecurity have rendered farmers jobless, turned families into refugees, and left thousands of youths restless and unemployed. Against this backdrop, how can the FCT Minister claim there’s no funding or responsibility to support vulnerable groups? Why is it that there’s always enough money for luxury SUVs and foreign trips, but never enough for healthcare, education, or social support?

Time and again, FCT administrations have expelled beggars only for them to return. You can’t solve a crisis by pretending it doesn’t exist. International human rights instruments, including the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, recognize shelter and social security as basic rights. It is unacceptable to treat the poor as nuisances instead of citizens.

The greatest threat to Nigeria’s image is not the sight of slums — it is the persistence of corruption and misgovernance. When Richard Branson of Virgin Nigeria pulled out of the country, it wasn’t because of beggars but because of relentless demands for bribes from officials.

If we continue to play the ostrich and ignore the root causes of poverty, the consequences will only worsen. Vulnerable populations, left to fend for themselves, become easy recruits for crime and banditry. We now live in fear — from street phone snatchers to armed robbers — all symptoms of deeper economic despair.

As President John F. Kennedy rightly said, “If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.”

Mr. Wike must reconsider his stance. The government has a duty to help and protect those who cannot help themselves. No group should be dismissed as a nuisance or denied their fundamental rights. Real governance starts where empathy begins.

 

Dr. Ibrahim is a concerned Nigerian, and he sent in this piece from Abuja.