Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has maintained that he has the legal authority to revoke and reassign lands in Abuja when owners fail to meet development requirements or default on statutory payments.
He gave the warning when the board of the South-South Development Commission visited him in his office in Abuja. The release was issued by his media team.
Wike explained that his land policy was not motivated by politics but guided strictly by the law and the need to ensure proper development of the territory.
He said, “I have never revoked land for political reasons, and I have never given revoked land to someone else unjustly. You can’t revoke land on public grounds and hand it over to another person”.
He added that many land holders neglect their obligations yet expect the government to provide services without corresponding responsibility.
According to him, “If you fail to comply with development guidelines, don’t pay ground rent, or abandon land for years, I have the right to revoke and reassign it”.
The minister expressed concern about what he described as a rising culture of entitlement, stressing that public services cannot be delivered when citizens refuse to meet basic requirements.
He said people demand roads, waste management and development but avoid paying the dues that support such services.
While addressing the SSDC board, Wike cautioned them to guard against internal conflicts and financial misconduct once they begin to manage large funds.
He said, “Today, you are united because there’s no project and no money yet. But the moment fifty billion naira drops and someone spends it without approval, fights will start”.
He urged the commission to remain loyal to Tinubu’s administration and focus on meaningful development for the South-South region.
He said they must avoid political projects and wasteful expenses if they truly want to make an impact.
Earlier, the managing director of the commission, Ms Usoro Akpabio, commended Wike and assured him that the agency would support his mandate.
She said she had personal ties to the FCT where she began her civil service career in 2006 and that the commission would strengthen its liaison office in Abuja to advance collaboration with federal agencies.
