Wike vs. Kingibe| Abuja Property Seizures Spark Political Firestorm

A fresh wave of political tension has erupted in Abuja following a sharp exchange between Senator Ireti Kingibe and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over the controversial enforcement of ground rent payments.

Senator Kingibe openly criticized the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for sealing properties of alleged defaulters, arguing that the move is unlawful. She contended that under current law, defaulters are subject to fines or surcharges—not the seizure or sealing of their properties.

The dispute comes on the heels of a major enforcement drive by the FCTA, which recently revoked over 4,700 land titles and sealed several properties, including the PDP national secretariat, for non-payment of ground rent spanning nearly three decades.

As the confrontation unfolds, it has sparked broader debate about the limits of ministerial authority, the rights of property owners, and the legality of enforcement strategies being deployed across the FCT.

He asserted that the FCTA’s actions are fully backed by the Land Use Act and are essential for ensuring compliance and restoring order in land administration.