Dele Momodu, a prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and former presidential aspirant, has praised President Bola Tinubu for his decisive intervention in the recent mass sealing of properties in Abuja by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). At the same time, Momodu sharply criticized FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, accusing him of behaving as if he were Nigeria’s co-president.
The FCTA began sealing over 4,000 buildings on Monday due to non-payment of ground rent. Notably affected were the PDP national secretariat, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) offices, Access Bank, TotalEnergies, and Ibro Hotel, all located in the Wuse Zone. The action followed a directive issued by Minister Wike to revoke and seize properties with outstanding ground rent arrears.
However, in a statement released Monday evening, the FCT Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, announced that following President Tinubu’s intervention, owners of the sealed properties have been granted a two-week grace period to settle their dues, including penalties.
“By Mr. President’s intervention, holders of the affected properties now have 14 days to regularize outstanding ground rents with associated penalties,” the statement confirmed.
Reacting on Tuesday, Momodu commended President Tinubu for curbing Wike’s unilateral and punitive actions. Posting on Facebook from the United States, he wrote:
“Your Excellency, good evening Sir. I have just read the news that you have stepped into the matter involving your cantankerous Minister of FCT, Mr. Nyesom Wike, who sealed the PDP National Secretariat — the biggest rival of your ruling party, APC — along with other properties in Abuja earlier today.”
Momodu stressed that while non-compliance with government regulations should not be tolerated, government actions must not be driven by vindictiveness. He described Wike as “Nigeria’s most querulous politician” and warned that his behavior is becoming a liability to the administration.
“The decision to halt Wike’s actions today scores several points in your favor. We used to joke that Nigeria had two Presidents — Tinubu and Wike. Now, we know Wike has a boss who can check his excesses,” Momodu said.
He lamented that President Tinubu missed an earlier opportunity to rein in Wike during his disruptive role in Rivers State, where Wike interfered with the Sim Fubara government, leading to an emergency rule.
“Nigerians are already enduring immense hardship, and you must protect them from Wike’s additional burdens and insults,” he added.
Contrasting Wike’s conduct with other ministers, Momodu noted:
“Wike’s portfolio is far smaller than that of Minister Dave Umahi, who remains humble, yet Wike subjects Nigerians to endless press conferences as if running his own federal government.”
He concluded with a pointed reminder:
“Sir, there cannot be two captains on one ship. I hope Wike has heard that message loud and clear following your powerful intervention today.”
