In a bold move, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked land allocations belonging to several high-profile individuals, including governors, senators, and other political figures.
Among the affected are the governors of Bayelsa and Imo States, Senator Douye Diri and Senator Hope Uzodimma, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, and the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu. A total of 568 individuals lost their land allocations in Maitama II, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja.
According to Lere Olayinka, media aide to the minister, the withdrawal was a direct result of the recipients failing to meet the payment deadline. This decision impacts several prominent figures, including governors and senators, who were among those allocated the plots.”
Prominent names on the list include former Enugu State Governor Chimaroke Nnamani, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and federal lawmaker Hon. Oluwole Oke, among others.
In October 2024, 3,273 allottees in the Maitama II area were given two weeks to settle their outstanding bills or risk losing their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O). Of these, 2,511 complied, leaving 762 defaulters. An additional two-week extension was provided, but by January 15, 2025, only 194 had cleared their payments, leaving 568 non-compliant allottees.
A notice issued by the FCT Administration (FCTA) outlined the implications of the revocation. It stated:
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) announces that individuals or titleholders of plots in Maitama II, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja, who failed to settle their Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) fees within the extended grace period granted by the Honorable Minister of the FCT, have had their Right of Occupancy revoked. This action aligns with Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978, which requires adherence to the conditions of land allocation, including the prompt payment of all associated fees.
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The FCTA clarified that individuals who made their payments by the January 15 deadline are not affected by this decision.
This bold action by the FCT minister highlights the government’s dedication to upholding land allocation regulations and promoting accountability among beneficiaries, irrespective of their social or political standing.
