Wike Confesses He Enjoys Ruffling the Feathers of the Powerful
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, didn’t hold back during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, June 2, revealing that he actually takes pleasure in stepping on the toes of influential figures.
Wike made it clear that all property owners in Abuja who have been dodging their ground rent payments need to settle up or face the consequences. He pointed out that previous FCT ministers, including the current Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, lacked the guts to hold these political heavyweights accountable for their dues.
“Look at what we’re doing differently,” Wike declared. “People used to say the FCT wasn’t functioning properly, but now it is. That means I’m doing what my predecessors refused to do. I realized most of them didn’t have the courage to upset people or step on toes, but I find joy in stepping on the toes of big men—those who say nothing will happen, but I say something will. It makes me happy.”
He added that while some expect him to go after the less privileged, he insists on fairness and accountability for all. “If you don’t do the right thing, too bad. I don’t care,” he said.
Under Wike’s leadership, the FCT administration published a list of 9,000 debtors in newspapers, urging them to clear their ground rent arrears to avoid forfeiture. On May 23, 2025, the government announced plans to seize around 5,000 properties with unpaid ground rents spanning 10 to 43 years, beginning with sealing off properties—including the PDP national secretariat.
However, President Bola Tinubu later granted the defaulters a 14-day grace period to settle their outstanding balances and penalties.
Wike’s bold approach is shaking up Abuja’s property scene, proving that sometimes, stepping on toes is just what the doctor ordered.
