President Bola Tinubu has intervened in the ongoing enforcement campaign in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), issuing a 14-day ultimatum to property owners defaulting on ground rent payments to settle their debts or face serious penalties — including property revocation.
This directive comes after the FCT Administration, led by Minister Nyesom Wike, commenced the sealing of 4,794 properties across Abuja for non-payment of ground rents dating back as far as four decades.
According to a statement released by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, the 14-day grace period was granted following Tinubu’s directive to ease tensions and give defaulters a final opportunity to comply.
The statement outlines specific penalties based on location: Central Area: N5 million fine, plus outstanding ground rent, Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, Guzape: N3 million fine, plus outstanding rent, Wuse I, Garki I, Garki II: N2 million fine, plus outstanding rent.
In addition, individuals who purchased properties without obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent or registering their Deeds of Assignment now have two weeks to complete those legal processes at the FCT Department of Land Administration.
The Minister also announced that property holders with outstanding Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) or Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills must clear their dues within the same 14-day window or risk revocation of their land titles.
Wike emphasized that the FCTA will no longer tolerate non-compliance with land-related obligations, especially at the expense of critical infrastructural development in the capital.
“This administration cannot afford to look the other way while public revenue needed for development is withheld. Property owners must pay their dues to avoid legal consequences,” the Minister stated.
The enforcement action has affected both government and private properties, including: Wadata Plaza, national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), NAPTIP headquarters, Offices belonging to a commercial bank and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in Wuse Zone 5.
The PDP has condemned the sealing of its headquarters, calling it a politically motivated act. Speaking after an emergency caucus meeting, Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum described the action as “irresponsible” and vowed to challenge it legally.
“We consider this a direct assault on our party and our right to operate freely. We will resist it through all legal channels,” Damagum told reporters.
The FCTA’s move follows the revocation of over 4,700 plots for unpaid ground rents spanning 10 to 43 years. The crackdown is part of a broader drive to boost internally generated revenue and enforce compliance with property laws.
The FCT administration has made it clear that there will be no exemptions, regardless of an entity’s political, institutional, or commercial status.
