Wike Vows To Seal Properties Over Unpaid Ground Rent, Dares Blackmailers
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has threatened to seal properties whose owners have failed to pay their outstanding ground rent, insisting he will not be intimidated by blackmail or political pressure.
Wike issued the warning on Monday during his monthly media briefing in Abuja, stating that many property owners have yet to comply despite repeated notices.
“I’m going to seal up all those properties. You can’t deny us the taxes we need for development,” he said.
Wike noted that although President Bola Tinubu had earlier granted a 14-day grace period, it has now extended beyond three months, and many defaulters remain uncooperative.
In May, the FCT Administration published the names of 9,000 defaulters and announced plans to repossess about 5,000 properties with unpaid rents spanning 10 to 43 years.
The enforcement began with the sealing of some buildings, including the PDP national secretariat.
“Some have complied, but many have not. Tomorrow, when we start sealing again, you’ll hear politics. People will try to blackmail me. I won’t listen. If you haven’t paid, we’ll seal your property. There’s no magic talk about it,” Wike declared.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
