Senator Kingibe Slams Wike: ‘I Can’t Stand By While You Seize People’s Property Over Ground Rent

The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, has declared that sealing residents’ properties in the capital city over ground rent is unlawful.

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, ordered the sealing of various properties, including the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to Wike, these properties were sealed because their owners allegedly defaulted on ground rent payments.

Despite President Bola Tinubu’s directive granting a 14-day grace period for reopening all sealed properties, Wike has yet to comply.

In a statement released on Thursday, Senator Kingibe emphasized that sealing or seizing land due to unpaid ground rent violates the law.

The Labour Party senator clarified that the law prescribes a fine or surcharge for defaulters—not confiscation or sealing of properties.

She assured affected property owners that she would work tirelessly to ensure their properties are reopened.

Kingibe’s statement read in part:
“I am deeply concerned about the increasing reports of property sealing across the Federal Capital Territory by various government agencies. While enforcing regulations and tax obligations is important, such actions must respect legality, fairness, and the economic challenges residents face.

“Ground rent, imposed by state governments under the Lands (Title Vesting, etc.) Act of 1975, does not justify arbitrary property seizure. Although the government can revoke land for overriding public interest, this must follow strict legal procedures under the Land Use Act and Urban and Regional Planning Act, including compensation payment.

“No Nigerian’s property can lawfully be seized or sealed solely because of unpaid ground rent. The legal penalty is limited to fines or surcharges, not property takeover without due process as outlined in Section 42 of the Land Use Act and related laws.

“The indiscriminate and sudden sealing of properties, often without notice or proper legal procedure, only worsens the economic hardship for individuals, families, and businesses. Such actions damage livelihoods, erode public trust, and risk social and economic instability within the FCT.

“As the elected Senator of the FCT, I cannot stand by while residents endure enforcement actions that break the law and increase their suffering. I am engaging with authorities and pursuing all legislative means to ensure enforcement is fair, legal, and compassionate.

“I urge residents and business owners to remain calm and law-abiding. Please be assured this matter is being addressed seriously, with a commitment to justice, dialogue, and due process.”