A popular garden in Wuse Zone 3, Abuja, operated by a woman known as Mama Tee (or Mama T), has been demolished and the site converted for residential purposes, according to a video circulating widely on social media.
In an Instagram reel posted by Isaac Fayose on September 19, 2026, the aftermath of the clearance is shown. The caption reads: “Another green area down !!! Wike don strike again… Mama Tee garden is now converted to residential…. APC kpaing APC… Please save your woman leader here,” tagging senior All Progressives Congress (APC) figures including the party’s national leadership and Seyi Tinubu.
The video has drawn thousands of likes and comments, with users reacting to the loss of the garden, which some described as an affordable eatery popular among civil servants and residents for local meals such as pounded yam and vegetable soup. Commenters noted the site’s role as a community space and expressed mixed views ranging from sympathy for the operator to commentary on the broader pattern of green-area clearances in the Federal Capital Territory.
The demolition forms part of ongoing enforcement exercises by the Federal Capital Territory Administration under Minister Nyesom Wike targeting structures on designated green areas or those deemed non-compliant with the Abuja master plan. Similar operations have affected other parks and gardens in districts including Maitama in recent years, often leading to disputes over leases, notices, and economic impact on operators and workers.
Mama T has been identified in online discussions as an APC supporter and local woman leader. The video’s caption highlights the perceived irony of the action affecting a party loyalist. As of the latest reports, neither the FCTA nor Mama T has issued a detailed public response specifically addressing the conversion of this particular site beyond the general context of urban planning enforcement.
The incident continues to generate discussion about the balance between maintaining Abuja’s green spaces, enforcing planning regulations, and the livelihoods of small business operators in the capital.
Details on prior notices, the specific legal status of Mama T’s occupation of the land, or any compensation arrangements were not immediately detailed in circulating reports. Operators of other affected gardens in Abuja have in the past claimed they held long-term leases, paid statutory dues, and employed staff, while authorities have cited reallocation, revocation of green-area approvals, or illegal developments as justifications for action.
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