Nigerian businessman, Prince Isaac Fayose, has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over the continued presence of cattle roaming freely on the streets of Abuja.
Fayose accused the minister of failing to take decisive action to address what he described as a disturbing situation in the nation’s capital.
His criticism followed comments made by Wike during a media chat in Abuja on Tuesday, where the minister was questioned about the increasing sight of cattle moving around major roads and parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
Rather than directly taking responsibility for the matter, Wike described the issue as a national security concern and said the National Security Adviser and the Department of State Services should handle it.
Responding to the question, Wike said the government had the capacity to deal with the situation but needed to be careful.
“I won’t talk about cows, it’s national security. Tell NSA and all of them to sit down and know what they will do about it. You know…. Anyways let’s leave it there,” the minister said.
“It’s not like we don’t have the capacity but we have to be very careful,” he added.
The minister’s comments have since generated reactions, with Fayose among those who criticised the position.
In a post on his official Facebook page on Wednesday, Fayose said Wike appeared to be more concerned about the possible consequences of dealing with cattle than about the welfare of residents.
“Wike fears cows more than human beings,” Fayose wrote.
He further accused the government of being quick to take action against or criticise citizens while appearing reluctant to address the problem of cattle roaming in public spaces.
“Government that is afraid of cows but quick to disrespect human beings,” he said.
Fayose also criticised Nigerians who support the administration, accusing them of failing to speak against what he described as poor governance.
“Many of you supporting this government will surely go down in history as wicked Nigerians,” he added.
The controversy has brought renewed attention to the issue of cattle movement in Abuja, where residents have raised concerns about animals wandering onto roads and other public spaces.
The presence of cattle on busy roads can create risks for motorists, pedestrians and the animals themselves, particularly when the animals move across major roads or gather around built-up areas.
Residents have also complained that roaming cattle can damage vegetation, obstruct traffic and contribute to poor sanitation in some locations.
The issue of open grazing has remained a sensitive matter in Nigeria for several years.
The country has experienced repeated clashes between farmers and herders, particularly in parts of the North-Central and southern regions. Disputes have often been linked to access to land, water and grazing routes, although other factors such as insecurity, criminality and weak land management have also contributed to the problem.
Successive governments have introduced different policies to address the farmer-herder crisis.
One of the major proposals has been the development of ranches and livestock settlements as alternatives to open grazing. Supporters of ranching argue that it would reduce clashes by keeping livestock in controlled areas, while critics of open grazing say animals should not be allowed to move freely through populated communities.
The Federal Capital Territory, as the seat of the Federal Government, has additional security and urban planning responsibilities.
Abuja was planned as a modern capital city with designated residential, commercial and administrative areas. The movement of large numbers of livestock through urban roads therefore raises questions about enforcement of existing regulations and the protection of residents.
However, Wike’s response suggests that the government views some aspects of the matter as more than an ordinary urban management problem.
The minister’s reference to national security may be linked to wider concerns about livestock movement, possible criminal activities and tensions involving herders and communities in different parts of the country.
Wike said the government had the capacity to address the matter but needed to be cautious.
The minister did not provide details of what specific security threat he believed was involved or explain what action had been taken by the FCT administration to address the roaming cattle.
Fayose’s criticism has therefore focused attention on the question of which government agency should take responsibility for dealing with the problem.
The FCT Administration has responsibility for managing the territory’s roads, environment, urban development and public spaces, while security agencies are responsible for issues involving threats to public safety and national security.
The situation has also raised questions about the relationship between urban development and livestock activities.
As Abuja continues to expand, areas that were previously on the outskirts of the city are increasingly being developed for housing, business and other purposes.
This expansion has reduced the separation between urban communities and areas where livestock may be kept or moved.
Without proper control, livestock movement can lead to conflicts with residents and road users.
The disagreement between Fayose and Wike is also taking place against the background of wider political tensions surrounding the FCT minister.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, has remained one of the most prominent figures in the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
His handling of the FCT has attracted both praise and criticism, particularly over urban renewal projects, demolition exercises, road construction and enforcement of planning regulations.
Supporters of the minister have defended his efforts to restore the Abuja master plan and improve infrastructure, while critics have accused the administration of being too harsh in some of its enforcement activities.
Fayose’s latest comments have added the cattle issue to the list of matters being used to assess the performance of the FCT Administration.
For residents, however, the key concern is not the political argument but how the problem will be resolved.
Many would expect the authorities to determine where cattle are legally permitted to move or graze within the territory and ensure that public roads and residential areas remain safe.
The government may also need to work with livestock owners, traditional leaders, security agencies and relevant agricultural authorities to find a lasting solution.
While the minister has referred the matter to national security authorities, Fayose has continued to insist that the government should be more concerned about the welfare and safety of Abuja residents.