The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has canceled land allocations for 568 individuals in Maitama II, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja. This decision comes after the affected allottees failed to pay their Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills despite receiving a grace period.

Among those affected are prominent politicians such as Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, and PDP National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu. Others include former Enugu State Governor Chimaroke Nnamani, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, and NiDCOM Chairperson Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

Earlier in October 2024, the FCT Administration had issued a notice to 3,273 land allottees, giving them two weeks to pay their outstanding bills or risk losing their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O). While 2,511 complied, 762 did not. A two-week extension was granted, but as of January 15, 2025, only 194 more complied, leaving 568 defaulters.

The revocation follows Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978, which allows the government to withdraw land rights if the terms of the allocation, such as payment obligations, are not fulfilled. The Minister clarified that those who paid their bills by the January 15 deadline are not affected by the decision.

This action highlights the importance of fulfilling legal obligations to retain land ownership and emphasizes the government’s commitment to enforcing compliance in the Federal Capital Territory.