Wike Threathens To Seal Buildings Of Ground Rent Defaulters

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Nyesom Wike, has once again threatened to seal the properties of ground rent defaulters.

Speaking during his August monthly media chat in Abuja on Monday, the Minister stated that the time had come to take decisive action against those who failed to pay within the two-week grace period granted by President Bola Tinubu.

President Tinubu had earlier issued a two-week ultimatum for the payment of outstanding ground rents, following the commencement of property sealing by the FCT Administration on May 26, 2025.

“You should know what I am going to do next. I thank God the President said two weeks; we are now at more than three months. That is Nigeria for you”.

“We have just finished a programme of commissioning projects. Very soon, we are going to seal all those properties. I am going to seal them up,” Wike stated.

The Minister expressed disappointment that some defaulters had failed to settle their debts despite the grace period, stressing that without the recovery of these funds, the administration would be unable to implement critical infrastructural projects.

“You can’t deny us the taxes we need for development. You are talking about the health sector now; you are talking about education. What have we done in other sectors, with what?

“We have listened to Mr. President in his wisdom, he said give them two weeks, give them one month, we have done that. Some have complied; others have refused.You want these things? Then pay us the taxes you are supposed to pay, but you said no”.

“Tomorrow, when enforcement begins, of course the usual politics will come up. But I won’t listen to that”.

“Let it be known: I won’t back down. If you haven’t complied, if you haven’t paid, we are going to seal your property. No amount of long talk or blackmail will change that. You can go on Arise TV and talk for hours, we are going to carry it out,” Wike noted.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji