Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has firmly stated that he will not be swayed by blackmail regarding the issue of unpaid ground rents.
On Monday, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) took decisive action by sealing off the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) office in Zone 5, citing non-payment of ground rent as the reason. This enforcement is part of a broader initiative by the FCTA, which recently revoked 4,794 land titles in Wuse, Maitama, Asokoro, and Garki due to years of unpaid ground rents.
FCTA officials revealed that approximately 8,375 property owners owe a staggering total of about N6.97 billion, with some debts dating back over 40 years. In light of this, President Bola Tinubu has issued a 14-day ultimatum for defaulting property owners to settle their ground rent debts.
The sealing of the PDP headquarters has drawn criticism from party leaders, especially given Wike’s affiliation with the party.
During an inspection of ongoing projects in Abuja on Tuesday, Wike expressed that his biggest challenge remains the ongoing reluctance of residents to meet their tax obligations. He announced plans for a review of ground rents for property owners in the capital.
“People want infrastructure and facilities, yet no one questions where the funding comes from. Abuja is not an oil-producing city; we rely on taxes. These aren’t new taxes; they have been in place for years,” he stated.
“It’s unfortunate that many elites own properties overseas and understand the consequences of failing to pay taxes. They know those properties can be taken away. Yet, when it comes to their own country, they resist compliance, believing there are no repercussions.”
Wike emphasized, “We have not increased the ground rent yet, but we are working towards it. The president has provided a two-week window for compliance; let no one think that blackmail will deter us. We will fulfill our responsibilities and will not bow to intimidation.”
