A heated exchange has erupted between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the Senator representing the FCT, Ireti Kingibe, over the recent closure of properties in Abuja due to unpaid ground rent.
Senator Kingibe, in a statement released on May 26 via her official X account, condemned the enforcement measures as excessive and unconstitutional.
She criticized the FCT Administration’s decision to seal off buildings—including the headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party and Access Bank—arguing that it infringed on the rights of property owners and disrupted businesses.
In response, Wike’s aide, Lere Olayinka, accused Kingibe of “embarrassing ignorance” regarding the Land Use Act.
He emphasized that paying ground rent is a legal obligation tied to land ownership and not optional, especially when arrears span several decades.
Olayinka claimed Kingibe’s opposition was politically driven, urging her to stop what he described as a personal vendetta against Wike.
“Would she sit back as minister while landowners fail to fulfill their obligations for 10, 20, even 43 years?” he asked.
Kingibe held her ground, stressing that while enforcement is necessary, the FCT’s approach—sealing properties without due process—violates legal standards. Citing the Land Use Act and the Urban and Regional Planning Act, she argued that penalties such as fines or surcharges should be applied, not arbitrary property takeovers.
She also warned that such abrupt measures could worsen economic hardship for residents and erode public trust. The senator pledged to push for legislation to ensure proper legal procedures are followed in future enforcement actions.
Olayinka countered that Kingibe was selectively interpreting the law and reiterated that non-payment of ground rent constitutes a breach of the Certificate of Occupancy, which is legally sufficient grounds for revocation.
The clash follows President Bola Tinubu’s recent intervention, which granted a 14-day grace period for defaulters to pay up—temporarily halting further enforcement.
However, the disagreement between Wike and Kingibe reveals growing political tensions over governance in the FCT.
Kingibe urged residents to stay calm and law-abiding, assuring them that she is fully engaged in resolving the issue. “We are committed to justice, due process, and constructive dialogue,” she said.