JUST IN: Wike vows tough action on ground rent defaulters, says he won’t bow to blackmail

By Kunle Sanni

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that his administration will not be intimidated or blackmailed by members of the elite who refuse to comply with legal obligations, particularly the payment of ground rents in the nation’s capital.

Wike made the statement on Wednesday during an inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects within the FCT.

The minister expressed dismay over the refusal of many property owners—especially those he described as elites—to fulfill their civic responsibilities despite benefiting from the city’s infrastructure.

“People want infrastructure, but nobody asks where the funds are coming from,” Wike said. “Abuja is not one of the oil-producing cities; we rely on taxes.”

He criticised property owners who pay taxes abroad but refuse to do the same in Nigeria. “It is unfortunate that many elites own houses overseas and understand the consequences of not paying their taxes there, but when it comes to their own country, they simply refuse to comply,” he said.

According to the minister, President Bola Tinubu has already approved a two-week window for defaulters to settle their dues. He warned that any attempt to use blackmail as a shield against enforcement will fail.

“Let nobody think blackmail will stop us. We will continue to do our work. If you do not pay, there will be consequences,” Wike said emphatically.

The FCT Administration recently commenced a crackdown on ground rent defaulters as part of efforts to boost internally generated revenue and fund critical infrastructure projects in the capital.