Wike Vows No Mercy For Ground Rent Defaulters
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has reiterated his firm stance against property owners who have failed to pay their ground rents despite repeated notifications.
He vowed to enforce sanctions without succumbing to sentiments or blackmail.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja while donating 50 Hilux vehicles to security agencies, Wike also issued a stern warning to construction companies against illegal land acquisition.
He emphasized that temporary land allocations for construction purposes do not equate to ownership.
Wike, who had previously distributed another batch of 50 vehicles, revealed that his administration is constructing 12 police divisions across the six area councils, with completion targeted by April 2025.
“We are enhancing security by ensuring police divisions are spread across satellite towns, rural areas, and the city. Everywhere is important to us,” Wike stated.
The minister addressed recent controversies surrounding land revocations, asserting that only valid documents would be considered.
“Let me make it clear: no amount of blackmail will deter us. If you have occupied government land without approval, you must face the consequences. Claims without proper documentation are baseless,” he said.
Wike referenced a revoked plot linked to Niger Delta activist Chief Rita Lori Ogbebor, emphasizing that the law applies equally to everyone.
“Let me use this opportunity to tell Nigerians and residents of Abuja we are not afraid of blackmail. In fact, you cannot be in this type of position and expect not to be blackmailed, particularly as regards this Abuja.
“Some of us have come to put our foot down. We will stop anybody who thinks that they can obtain government land without formal approval. We will not look at your face.
“If you like, you can be a civil rights activist. If you like, you can be a television talker. What is wrong is wrong.
READ ALSO: Demolition: Why We Are Powerless To Stop Wike – Akpabio
“No amount of blackmail can stop us. People take government property without approval, without documents, and I have told people that there was a government yesterday; the government did not take any step. It does not mean that another government will come today and will not take any steps.
“Or even if this government does not, tomorrow another government will come that may take a step. That you did something 15 years ago does not mean it is right. It does not mean it is right.
“The mere fact that nobody tried to tell you it is not right does not make it right. You cannot use blackmail to get something from the government. You can’t. You cannot. Recently, we told Julius Berger to quit from central business area. When Julius Berger came to Abuja, they asked for a site for them to do their construction. That site does not mean it belongs to Julius Berger. Julius Berger has finished their job. They have to quit the land.
“You cannot tell me if they give you a site because of your construction; you finish, the land now turns to be your own. Is it possible? Show me the document that it belongs to you. I am not that kind of person. You can think that you go on television and start saying you have lived on the land for over 20 years. And so what? You are a squatter. If you like, go and carry everybody. What is wrong is wrong.
“You go behind your back and tell people to beg me, and then you go on television to tell people that they came to take your land and you said the land was allocated to a Rivers man. So what? So, a Rivers man is not entitled to have land in Abuja? You will tell me who that person is that is entitled to have land in Abuja.
“You can’t tell me that. If you want me to go and publish names of people who have landed in Abuja, I will go and publish; let Nigerians see. If you want land, you know the right thing to do. You know the right step to take. Through blackmail, you won’t get it. You won’t get it.
“If your husband had a company that did a job for Abuja and had a site to stay, that doesn’t make it your husband’s property. It doesn’t. It is for you to come and say, Please, we have this problem. How can you help us? And not to begin to blackmail people and tell them to go to social media that Mr. Wike has come to take your land and he gave it to a House of Representatives member.
“Ask the Chairman of FCT. Who does not have land in the National Assembly? Ask him. Who does not? I mean, some of us, you cannot get us by blackmail. Forget it. If you have a problem, come to us. We will know how to help you. We will know how to solve the problem, not saying, “Oh, I am a woman. Oh, I am a woman”.
“What’s that? Because you’re a woman, you will go and carry government land? Let anybody tell the person. Bring your documents to show that the property is yours. I have published it in newspapers, and people thought I was joking,” he added.
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.
