Abuja: The Stone The Builders Rejected

Night time in Abuja

For years Abuja was much of a politicised hub to the extent that a leading Nigerian Fuji musician was so scared when rumor mongers associated him with it, that he denied, denied and denied any relationship between him and the city. Especially when it was insinuated in the rumour mill that he collected a contract in Abuja!

That was how much the fear of ostracism hunts any who relates with the city then. Because then in the early 80s when a political party took over the centre everything about Abuja was associated with cesspools of corruption and waste. A place where politicians feather their nests by crook and means. So only few want to be associated with city. No not with a city with an anathema of corruption - yeah organised corruption by 2nd Republic political elites. Thus, any mention of Abuja relates and connect you with these odious politicians.

Corporate Affairs Commission edifice in Abuja

Not even the Fuji musician himself. So he sang and sang until his voice went hoarse that he has nothing to do with Abuja. 

It was that serious. 

And since as of early 80s the seat of power was yet to be moved there not until 1991 by General Ibrahim Babangida, not many paid much attention to the city. 

So it was only Lagos that things were happening then. Being then both the administrative and commercial capital of Nigeria. Who cares then about a city under construction in the jungle of Savannah! A city no one knows when the seat of power will be moved there. All eyes were on Lagos!

It got so bad that choice plots in the now Kubwa, Gwagwalada, Gwarinpa etc were being dashed out to those who have interest in farming, animal husbandry and what have you. Since no one knows when an arid jungle city called a capital will be moved into, only few pay attention to landed properties there. Not even expert property developers and speculators.

Well laid out drains to complement Abuja highways.

Stories I heard in Gwagwalada sometimes in 2012 there about, among some new friends has it that even some few years after the movement of the nation's capital to the city, people were being begged to be allocated lands.

But many years after Babangida moved the seat of power over, the paradigm shifted 360 degrees! The stone the builders rejected suddenly become the head of the house. The head of the house to business men and investors especially those who are into properties.  And the rest is history.