Politics
Don’t just arrest streets beggars, adopt social welfare approach – Ndume tells Wike
Senator Ali Ndume has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to adopt a more compassionate and sustainable approach in addressing the issue of street begging and homelessness in Abuja, rather than resorting to arrests and forced removals.
Ndume made this suggestion on Wednesday when the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, presented a N1.7 trillion 2025 statutory budget to the National Assembly on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
Drawing inspiration from historical social welfare models, Ndume cited the example of Kano State in the 1970s, where vulnerable populations were identified, housed, provided with meals, and trained in vocational skills to foster economic empowerment.
“The FCT is also about the indigent,” Ndume said. “For the displaced people roaming around Abuja, it is not enough just to arrest them. What you need to do is what the Kano State Government did in the 1970s — identify the indigent and establish camps where they can be fed and trained so they can be taken off the streets.”
He proposed a transitional support system that includes shelter, food, healthcare, and skills acquisition as a long-term strategy to reintegrate the less privileged into society and eliminate the causes of street begging.
In addition to his social welfare recommendation, Senator Ndume also proposed a new security strategy for Abuja to curb the rising rate of crime. He recommended adopting a “picketing” method similar to one reportedly used in Cairo, Egypt, where police officers are stationed at 200-meter intervals throughout the city from 6:00 p.m. to dawn.
“At every 200 meters, there should be one police officer either sitting or standing there until morning. That way, the mere presence of the police secures the night,” he said.
Senator Ndume further expressed concern over the poor state of medical infrastructure in Abuja, particularly referencing Asokoro District Hospital, which he noted lacks critical diagnostic facilities such as MRI and CT scan machines.
“Even today, a patient was taken to Asokoro Hospital — they don’t have MRI or CT scan facilities. I don’t know if the Minister is aware, but if you are, I am sure you would have done something,” Ndume said.
In response, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike acknowledged the senator’s suggestions and the value of such social initiatives. However, he highlighted the logistical and financial limitations of the FCT administration in sustaining rehabilitation programmes.
“The FCT doesn’t have the capacity to support that kind of programme,” Wike stated. “Some of them, even when you support them, still come back to beg. It is not just about establishing a camp; it is about sustainable engagement and ensuring they stay off the streets.”
Wike added that while the intention is commendable, a lasting solution requires a multi-faceted, collaborative effort to address the systemic issues contributing to urban poverty and homelessness.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday declared that he’s still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Wike’s comment followed his expulsion from the party by the faction led by National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
Turaki had formally dispatched expulsion certificates to 11 prominent party chieftains, including Wike, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade, SAN, Abdurahman Muhammad Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
He said their expulsion was aimed at sanitising the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the development on Friday, Wike dismissed the claim while assuring that he would continue to work with other party members in making PDP a relevant opposition party.
The minister spoke while addressing journalists after inspecting the Interchange bridge and road linking Gwarinpa with Jahi and direct to Katampe, Gishiri and Maitama.
He said, “Those that are factionalized are bound to leave the party, I’m still in PDP and you can see that not everybody has left.
“We still have good numbers and we will continue to work together and that’s what I have said to the party. Put your house in order because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that is losing.
“So those who are worried, we can work together to see how the party can remain a relevant opposition.”
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
PRESIDENT TINUBU’S TRIBUTE TO CENTENARIAN ALHAJI TANKO YAKASAI
I’m still in PDP – Wike replies Turaki, dismisses expulsion
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