Wike Under Fire as VeryDarkMan Says: “Look at What They Have Turned Abuja Into, Cows Everywhere!”

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is facing renewed public criticism over the continued presence of roaming cattle on Abuja roads, after social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, called the minister’s attention to the situation.

In a video circulating online, VeryDarkMan directly addressed Nyesom Wike, expressing concern over the sight of cows moving around parts of Nigeria’s capital.

“Wike, look at what they have turned Abuja into, cows everywhere,” the activist said, directing his criticism at the FCT minister.

Nyesom Under Pressure Over Abuja Cows

The latest criticism has renewed attention on Nyesom Wike’s responsibility for managing the Federal Capital Territory, particularly the persistent problem of cattle roaming freely on major roads and public spaces.

The presence of livestock on Abuja roads has raised concerns among residents and motorists over traffic disruptions, road safety, damage to property and the appearance of the capital city.

The controversy is also significant because Nyesom Wike has previously acknowledged that the problem persists and accepted responsibility for the continued presence of cows on Abuja streets.

Nyesom Wike Previously Took Responsibility

In June, Nyesom apologised to Abuja residents over the continued presence of cattle on the city’s streets.

During his monthly media briefing, Wike said: “I apologise that up till now there are cows still roaming the streets of Abuja, I take responsibility.”

The minister, however, explained that removing the cattle was more complicated than it might appear and suggested that the matter required careful handling because of its wider security and social implications. Wike also said the FCT Administration was continuing infrastructure development across Abuja and the wider territory.

Nyesom Calls Cattle Grazing a Security Matter

Nyesom has subsequently described the issue of cattle grazing in Abuja as one connected to national security.

In August, the minister declined to discuss the matter in detail, saying he had the capacity to deal with cattle grazing but would not speak extensively because of its national-security dimension. Wike had previously said that discussions involving the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Miyetti Allah and other stakeholders were aimed at finding a way to move cattle away from major roads and into more appropriate locations.The controversy has also prompted clarification from the Nigeria Police Force.

Police spokesperson CSP Ani Iniedu said in September that controlling roaming cattle was not the responsibility of the police, explaining that the relevant environmental authorities were responsible for controlling animals in the FCT.

According to Iniedu, police intervention would become necessary if cattle were involved in offences, caused damage to property or trespassed on private property. The clarification effectively places responsibility for controlling roaming animals on the relevant authorities within the FCT administration and environmental agencies.

VeryDarkMan Challenges Nyesom Wike

VeryDarkMan’s latest criticism puts Nyesom back under the spotlight at a time when residents continue to raise concerns about the management of Abuja. The activist’s intervention also highlights the growing role of social media personalities in drawing attention to public infrastructure and governance issues.

For critics, the continued appearance of cattle on major Abuja roads raises questions about the effectiveness of existing measures. For the FCT Administration, the issue remains one requiring coordination among government agencies, livestock stakeholders and security authorities.

The Bigger Question for Nyesom Wike

For Wike, the continued presence of cows on Abuja streets represents a particularly difficult challenge because he has already publicly accepted responsibility for the situation. While the minister has said efforts are ongoing to address the problem, the continued sighting of cattle has ensured that the issue remains a subject of public debate.VeryDarkMan’s latest intervention has therefore reignited the question: How long will Abuja residents continue to see cows roaming freely on the streets of Nigeria’s capital?

As pressure mounts on Nyesom Wike to resolve the problem, residents will be watching to see whether the FCT Administration can finally deliver a lasting solution to street grazing in Abuja. OGM News NG will continue to monitor developments surrounding Nyesom Wike, the FCT Administration and the issue of roaming cattle in Abuja.