The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said he enjoys stepping on the toes of influential individuals who defy the law.
Wike made this statement during a media chat in Abuja, where he reiterated his administration’s resolve to ensure that all property owners in the nation’s capital fulfill their financial obligations by paying ground rent or face penalties.
The former Governor of Rivers State also directed criticism at key members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including Bode George.
He emphasized that the PDP must pay the outstanding ground rent for its national secretariat in Abuja.
Wike took aim at former FCT ministers, including the current Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, accusing them of lacking the will to confront politically powerful figures who are defaulting on ground rent payments.
“Look at what we are doing differently. People have said that FCT was not working (but) now it is working, which means I’m doing things that they (past FCT ministers) refused to do,” Wike said.
“I found out that most of them didn’t have the courage to annoy people, to step on toes, but I take joy when I step on the toes of big men; those who say nothing will happen, but I say something will happen. It makes me happy.
“All they want me to do is to make decisions against poor people saying nothing will happen to them, but I say something will happen. That is why we making results. If you don’t do the right thing, too bad. I don’t care.”
Wike’s administration had earlier published the names of 9,000 property owners who have defaulted on ground rent payments, warning them to settle their debts to avoid forfeiture of their properties.
Following this, on May 23, 2025, the FCT Administration announced plans to reclaim roughly 5,000 properties with rent debts spanning from 10 to 43 years.
The crackdown included the sealing of some properties, including the PDP national secretariat.
However, President Bola Tinubu later intervened, granting a 14-day grace period for all defaulters to pay up their outstanding debts and penalties.
