Wike Slams Elites Over Refusal to Pay Floor Lease in Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has condemned Nigerian elites for his or her continued refusal to pay floor hire on properties situated in a few of Abuja’s most prosperous areas.
Talking throughout his month-to-month press briefing held on Monday, Might 26, 2025, in Abuja, Wike expressed frustration over the development, declaring that rich property homeowners in areas like Maitama, Wuse 2, Guzape, Asokoro, and the Central Enterprise District have ignored their authorized obligation to pay floor hire—some for so long as 43 years.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had earlier introduced it had revoked 4,794 properties as a consequence of non-payment of floor hire spanning from 10 to 43 years, as a part of its enforcement drive to spice up compliance and generate income.
Wike criticized the hypocrisy of those elites who, in line with him, willingly pay taxes on their overseas properties whereas refusing to satisfy comparable obligations inside Nigeria.
“Many of the elites personal properties abroad the place they pay taxes, however right here in Nigeria nothing will occur, and it’s the perspective that has killed us,” he mentioned.
He dismissed ideas that {financial} incapacity is perhaps in charge, asserting that the affected places are solely inhabited by the rich.
“Poor individuals don’t reside in Maitama, Wuse 2, Guzape, Asokoro, or the Central Enterprise District,” Wike famous.
“No one pays 400,000 a yr as floor hire. It’s unlucky in our nation that you just pay for 2 years and it’s about to run out, and also you count on the owner to remind you.”
Wike additionally highlighted the FCTA’s present infrastructure push, noting that the administration had organized 19 days of mission commissioning, after which new tasks could be launched.
The minister’s remarks sign a more durable stance on property-related income enforcement and should immediate a broader crackdown on defaulters within the coming months.
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