Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says he takes pleasure in challenging powerful individuals. Speaking during a media parley in Abuja on Monday, June 2, Wike highlighted his firm approach to enforcing compliance.

He issued a stern warning to property owners in Abuja who have failed to pay their ground rent, insisting they must pay or face the consequences. Wike criticized former FCT ministers for their inability to confront powerful figures over unpaid rents.

Wike explained his strategy: “People said the FCT wasn’t working before, but now it is. That’s because I make tough decisions. Unlike my predecessors, I’m not afraid to challenge the elite. I enjoy stepping on the toes of influential people who believe nothing can happen to them.”

He stressed his commitment to fairness, ensuring that his administration treats everyone equally. “Some people expect me to target only the poor while sparing the elite, but I won’t do that. If you don’t follow the rules, you’ll face the consequences,” he said.

In its efforts to recover unpaid ground rents, Wike’s administration published the names of 9,000 debtors in newspapers, warning them to clear their debts or risk losing their properties.

The administration also announced plans to repossess about 5,000 properties with debts spanning 10 to 43 years. Even the PDP national secretariat was affected. Following this action, President Bola Tinubu offered defaulters a 14-day grace period to settle their payments and avoid penalties.

Wike’s bold approach has sparked discussions about accountability and governance in the nation’s capital.