President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 4,793 others owing ground rent in Abuja to obey anything said by the landlord – a nickname given to FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.
Tinubu stated while speaking on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, during the inauguration of the rehabilitated and refurbished Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
“You must obey what the landlord says. If you want to use this place, you are going to pay for it,” he said.
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In March, Wike approved the revocation of 4,794 land titles in the FCT, over non-payment of ground rent, estimated at N6.9bn for more than 40 years.
Wike in the statement issued his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka said a total of 8,375 property owners in the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama and Guzape, had not paid ground rent in the last 43 years.
He further stated that the property owners owed a total of N6,967,980,119, while 4,794 land titles are in default of ground rent payment for 10 years and above.
On May 26, 2026, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) started sealing off the properties as directed by the minister.
Among the properties sealed on Monday were the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat and buildings occupied by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Access Bank, Total Energy, and Ibro Hotel, all located in Wuse Zone of the federal capital.
However, after public outcry, President Tinubu directed FCTA to suspend the sealing of the premises of some properties in Abuja.
The FCT Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, who confirmed this said President Tinubu had intervened and that by the intervention, the owners of the properties now have two weeks to settle the outstanding ground rents with associated properties.
“Today, May 26, 2025, we commenced enforcement on the 4,794 properties revoked for non-payment of Ground Rent, from 10 to 43 years.
“Properties owned by government institutions, corporate organisations and individuals were affected. This demonstrates the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s commitment to carrying out its functions without fear or favour.
“However, the President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has intervened. Therefore, by Mr. President’s intervention, holders of the affected properties now have 14 days (two weeks) to settle the outstanding ground rents, with associated penalties,” the statement said.
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