The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that he takes pleasure in challenging powerful individuals, particularly those who flout Abuja’s land regulations.
Speaking during a media chat in Abuja, Wike emphasized that all property owners who have not paid their ground rent must comply or face strict consequences.
The former Rivers State governor criticized some senior figures in the Peoples Democratic Party, including Bode George, insisting that the party must settle the ground rent for its national secretariat located in the FCT.
He also criticized former FCT ministers, including Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, accusing them of lacking the resolve to compel influential individuals to fulfill their civic obligations regarding property taxes.
“Look at what we are doing differently. People have said that FCT was not working (but) now it is working which means I’m doing things that they (past FCT ministers) refused to do,” Wike said.
“I found out that most of them didn’t have the courage to annoy people, to step on toes but I take joy when I step on the toes of big men; those who say nothing will happen but I say something will happen. It makes me happy.”
“All they want me to do is to make decisions against poor people saying nothing will happen to them but I say something will happen.
That is why we making results. If you don’t do the right thing, too bad. I don’t care.”
In a move to recover longstanding debts, the FCT administration published the names of 9,000 individuals and organizations owing ground rent, warning that failure to comply would result in forfeiture.
On May 23, 2025, the FCT Administration revealed it would reclaim approximately 5,000 properties that had been in default for periods ranging from 10 to 43 years.
The enforcement began with the sealing of several properties, including the PDP national secretariat. However, following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, a 14-day grace period was granted for defaulters to settle their outstanding payments and penalties.
