There was high drama at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday, January 23, 2026, when angry protesters chased the convoy of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike while chanting “Ole Ole Ole” (thief thief thief) and accusing him of corruption and poor governance.
The protesters, believed to be a mix of disgruntled civil servants, youth groups, and residents, gathered outside the FCTA headquarters shortly before Wike’s arrival for an official engagement. As his convoy entered the premises, the crowd surged forward, hurling chants and slogans at the vehicles.
Eyewitnesses said the minister’s security detail had to form a protective cordon while the convoy moved quickly into the compound. No injuries or arrests were immediately reported, but the incident caused a brief disruption to activities at the secretariat.
The protesters accused Wike of “looting” public funds, neglecting infrastructure in satellite towns, and using his position to favour political allies. Some placards read: “Wike Ole! Return Our Money”, “FCTA is Not Your Empire”, and “Resign Now”.
A protester who identified himself as a civil servant from the FCT said: “We are tired of empty promises. Roads are bad, salaries are delayed, yet billions disappear. Ole Ole Ole!”
Subscribe To The Best Team In Conservative, Business, Technology, Lifestyle And Digital News Realtime! support@ddnewsonline.com
Security was immediately beefed up around the secretariat, with additional police and FCT security personnel deployed to prevent escalation.
Wike’s media team has not issued an official response to the incident as of the time of filing this report. However, sources close to the minister described the protest as “politically motivated and sponsored by opposition elements”.
The chase and chants are the latest in a series of public demonstrations against Wike since he assumed office as FCT Minister, with critics accusing him of high-handedness and favouritism in project allocation.
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
Send tips to: adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com | 08168555497