Wike Threatens to Seal Abuja Properties Over Unpaid Ground Rent

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has vowed to seal off all properties in Abuja whose owners have failed to pay their ground rent, despite multiple warnings and a grace period granted by President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking during a media parley on Monday in Abuja, Wike expressed frustration over the continued disregard by property owners, saying the administration would no longer tolerate such negligence.

“Mr. President said two weeks, we are more than three months [since the grace period]. That is Nigeria for you,” the minister said. “We have just finished a programme. I am going to seal up all those properties; I’m going to seal them up.”

Wike warned that those who have defaulted on their financial obligations to the government should not expect any leniency, stressing that the revenue is critical for the development of the capital.

“You can’t deny us the taxes we use for development. Pay us the taxes that you are supposed to pay, you said, ‘No’,” he stated. “We have listened to Mr. President. In his wisdom, he said, ‘Give them two weeks, give them two months.’ We have done that. Some have done that. Some have refused to comply.”

The minister dismissed any claims that the move could be politically motivated or damaging to investor confidence. He insisted that failure to enforce compliance would only further erode the system.

“If you have not complied, if you have not paid, we are going to seal it up. This is what we cannot continue to allow in this country,” he declared.

Back in May, officials of the FCTA had sealed the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also known as Wadata Plaza, during a similar enforcement exercise. That action was part of the revocation of 4,794 properties over non-payment of ground rent, with some debts dating back as far as 43 years.

The clampdown affected properties owned by government institutions, corporations, and individuals. Following Tinubu’s intervention, defaulters were granted a 14-day grace period to settle their ground rent along with accumulated penalties. Many complied — but not all.