FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe Slams Wike Over Abuja Property Seizures, Labels Ground Rent Enforcement Unlawful

 

Kingibe Accuses Wike of Illegal Property Seizures Over Ground Rent in Abuja

Tensions are escalating in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as Senator Ireti Kingibe publicly challenges FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over the controversial sealing of properties linked to unpaid ground rent. The Labour Party Senator has labeled the recent enforcement actions as a breach of legal provisions and a threat to residents’ rights.

During a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, Kingibe emphasized that the ongoing crackdown on property owners, including the sealing of key buildings such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat, does not align with established legal processes. She argued that while compliance with tax obligations is necessary, the approach currently being employed by the FCT administration bypasses the due process outlined in federal statutes.

She highlighted that ground rent, which is collected by state governments on land allocations in accordance with the Lands (Title Vesting, etc.) Act of 1975, does not grant any authority the right to arbitrarily seize or seal private properties. According to her, the penalties for non-payment are clearly defined in law as financial fines or surcharges—not outright dispossession or property sealing.

“Such revocation must strictly follow due legal process as stipulated under the Land Use Act and the Urban and Regional Planning Act,” Kingibe asserted, stressing the constitutional requirement for compensation and legal procedures in cases involving land revocation.

Kingibe criticized the FCT administration for what she described as abrupt and indiscriminate enforcement actions. She noted that many property owners were not given proper notice or an opportunity for dialogue before their properties were sealed, adding that these actions worsen the already fragile economic conditions faced by residents and business owners in Abuja.

The senator didn’t just stop at criticism—she pledged action. As the elected representative of FCT residents in the National Assembly, Kingibe vowed to pursue legislative solutions and initiate dialogues with relevant stakeholders to address the issue. She made it clear that she will not remain silent while Abuja residents are subjected to enforcement measures that she believes flout the rule of law.

“Enforcement must be carried out within the bounds of legality, fairness, and sensitivity to the current economic realities,” she declared. “The indiscriminate sealing of properties without proper engagement or adherence to due legal procedure only deepens the suffering of residents.”

The ongoing controversy took another turn when Kingibe revealed that despite President Bola Tinubu’s directive for all sealed properties to be reopened for a 14-day grace period, the FCT Minister has yet to act. The senator’s remarks suggest a growing rift not only between her and Wike but possibly between Wike and the federal government as well.

Residents and stakeholders have expressed growing unease over the clampdown, with many seeing it as an overreach of ministerial power. The sealed properties, which include commercial and residential buildings, have reportedly caused significant disruption to businesses and daily life across the capital.

Kingibe urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them that efforts are underway to rectify the situation. She reiterated her commitment to ensuring that justice and lawful procedure are not only upheld but prioritized.

“We are committed to ensuring that dialogue, justice, and due process prevail,” she said in closing, calling for enforcement practices that are humane, legally grounded, and respectful of citizens’ rights.

As Abuja’s residents wait for clarity on the status of their sealed properties, all eyes are now on the next moves of both the senator and the FCT Minister. The outcome of this standoff could have broader implications for governance, law enforcement, and property rights in the Federal Capital Territory.