ANAMBRA POLICE COMMAND RECEIVES AND AUGMENTS IGP’S MONITORING UNIT OPERATIVES ON ENFORCEMENT OF POLICE PERSONNEL WITHDRAWAL FROM VIP ESCORT DUTIES IN THE STATE. (PHOTOS). #PRESS RELEASE.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared his determination to hold property owners accountable for unpaid ground rents, even if it means stepping on the toes of influential figures. Speaking during a media chat in Abuja, Wike emphasized that all property owners in the FCT, including prominent political figures, must settle their outstanding ground rents or face severe consequences.
Wike, a former Rivers State governor, specifically called out chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including Bode George, stating that the PDP must pay the ground rent for its national secretariat in Abuja. He criticized his predecessors, including Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, for lacking the courage to enforce payment from powerful property owners in the nation’s capital.
“I take joy when I step on the toes of big men—those who say nothing will happen, but I say something will happen,” Wike stated. “My predecessors didn’t have the courage to annoy people, but I don’t care. If you don’t do the right thing, too bad.”
The minister highlighted his administration’s efforts to ensure compliance, noting that the FCT is now functioning more effectively due to his tough stance. “People said the FCT was not working, but now it is working because I’m doing things they refused to do,” he added.
Wike’s administration had previously published a list of 9,000 debtors in newspapers, urging them to clear their ground rent arrears to avoid forfeiture. On May 23, 2025, the FCT announced plans to seize approximately 5,000 properties with unpaid rents spanning 10 to 43 years. The enforcement began with the sealing of properties, including the PDP national secretariat. However, President Bola Tinubu intervened, granting defaulters a 14-day grace period to settle their debts and penalties.
The minister’s actions have sparked discussions on the enforcement of financial obligations in the FCT, with Wike remaining unapologetic about his approach to ensuring accountability.
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