The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that he finds personal satisfaction in confronting and challenging powerful individuals who believe they are above the law.
Wike made this bold assertion during a recent media chat in Abuja. He emphasized that all property owners in Abuja—regardless of status—must fulfill their civic duties by paying their outstanding ground rent or face consequences.
Taking a direct jab at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership, including Bode George, Wike insisted that the PDP must pay the ground rent for its national secretariat in Abuja. He criticized past FCT ministers, including Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, accusing them of lacking the political will to enforce rent payments from political elites.
“People have said that FCT was not working. Now it is working, which means I’m doing what they 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. I say something will happen. It makes me happy.”
He further stated: “All they want is for decisions to hurt the poor, but I say no. If you don’t do the right thing, too bad. I don’t care.”
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Wike’s administration has taken sweeping action to enforce the payment of ground rent in Abuja. In early May 2025, over 9,000 property owners were publicly listed in national newspapers for owing rents, some for as long as 43 years.
On May 23, 2025, the FCT Administration announced it would begin sealing and reclaiming about 5,000 properties, including the PDP secretariat, due to non-payment. However, President Bola Tinubu later granted defaulters a 14-day grace period to settle debts and avoid forfeiture.
Wike has maintained that fairness will prevail under his leadership, and no individual or political party will be above the law.
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