Mrs. Rita Lori Ogbebor, widow of the late Col. Paul Ogbebor, has vowed not to seek intervention from President Bola Tinubu in an ongoing land dispute between Paullosa Nigeria Limited, a company founded by her husband, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) authorities.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, the 84-year-old emphasized her unwillingness to appeal to the President or FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, despite looming threats of demolition on an estate located on Plot 2241, Gwarimpa District, Lifecamp.
Paullosa Nigeria Limited, an estate management firm owned by the late Col. Ogbebor, has been battling a demolition notice issued for the property. This is part of a larger campaign by Minister Wike, who remains steadfast in continuing demolitions, stating, “Let heaven fall.”
Mrs. Ogbebor expressed frustration over the situation, highlighting her late husband’s significant contributions to Abuja’s development. According to her, Col. Ogbebor was instrumental in the city’s early construction efforts and was granted the disputed land for his work as an engineer.
She questioned the fairness of the demolition notice, stating, “I am not saying the President should know me, but the people, the leaders, who surround and advise the President should know people like us, who oil the wheel of progress in this country. And when there is a problem like this, they should intervene, and if it is above them, they should take it to the president.
“My husband was one of those who built Abuja; they gave him a piece of land to work as an engineer. He brought people from all over the world to work with him. Now, after 42 years, they want to demolish it and give it to Chinda? Who is Chinda?
“If you take Chinda’s age today and the period we have been here, Chinda was only 14 years old. And so is Wike. Is that not belittling of me at the age of 84, to go and meet the president, ‘Mr. President, someone in my country is demolishing my house? No. I would rather die,” she said.
