In a decisive move, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked land allocations belonging to several high-profile Nigerians, including Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen. The revocation follows the failure of 568 allottees to settle their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills despite multiple grace periods.
According to a statement by Lere Olayinka, the minister’s media aide, the affected individuals were part of a larger group of 3,273 allottees initially given a two-week deadline in October 2024 to clear their bills. Even after an extended grace period, these 568 defaulters failed to comply, prompting the withdrawal of their Rights of Occupancy (R-of-O) on January 15.
Among those impacted are notable political figures and public servants, including the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President) Ibrahim Hadejia, former Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, and several federal ministers like Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and John Eno.
Other prominent names on the list include Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), and Regina Akume, wife of George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Even the late former Sports Minister Bala Kaoje’s land was not spared.
This latest revocation follows an earlier action in December 2024, where Wike canceled the allocation of 762 plots of land due to similar payment issues. These actions signal the minister’s firm stance on enforcing compliance with land-use regulations in the FCT.
The move has sparked mixed reactions, with some praising Wike’s commitment to accountability, while others question the fairness of targeting influential figures. As the FCT administration continues to crack down on defaulters, it sends a clear message about the consequences of neglecting financial obligations tied to public assets.
