Wike Vows to Seal Properties in Abuja Over Unpaid Ground Rent Despite Backlash

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has doubled down on his pledge to seal and seize propertieswhose owners have failed to pay ground rent, saying no amount of political blackmail will stop the enforcement.

Wike made the declaration during his monthly media roundtable in Abuja on Monday, insisting that debtors must be held accountable for denying the FCT essential revenue for development.

“You can blackmail me all you want. If you’ve not paid, we are going to seal it. There’s no more talking,” Wike said.

Back in May, the FCT Administration (FCTA) announced plans to reclaim over 5,000 properties with unpaid ground rent dating back 10 to 43 years. This included well-known locations such as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat.

In a bid to prompt compliance, the administration published the names of over 9,000 defaulters in national newspapers and issued a 14-day grace period at the directive of President Bola Tinubu.

Yet months later, Wike says most debtors have still not complied.

“I laugh. The President said give them two weeks, give them a month. Well, it’s been over three months,” Wike remarked with clear frustration.

Wike acknowledged that the enforcement drive is attracting political pushback, but remained unmoved.

“Tomorrow, when we start sealing properties, of course the politics will come out. They’ll say all sorts of things, but I will not listen to that.”

The FCTA has already begun sealing non-compliant properties, and according to Wike, the clampdown will intensify in the coming days.

“You can’t deny us the taxes we use for development. If you have not paid, you’re not exempt. We’ve given time, and now the time is up,” he warned.