By Nafisat Makinde
Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has criticized FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s initiative to enforce ground rent payment, citing concerns over due process and arbitrary property seizures.
According to Senator Kingibe, the FCT Administration’s actions are unjust, unlawful, and economically damaging. “Ground rent, by law, does not justify arbitrary property takeovers. The penalty for non-payment is limited to fines or surcharges—not revocation or sealing—unless due legal processes are followed,” she emphasized.
Senator Kingibe expressed worry that properties are being sealed off without proper engagement and adherence to due process, noting that many residents and businesses have reported issues with documentation. “No Nigerian’s property can be lawfully seized or sealed solely due to ground rent default,” she added.
The senator urged the FCT Administration to reconsider its approach, emphasizing the need for balance between tax enforcement and property rights. “No Nigerian property should be arbitrarily sealed or taken over based on just an individual’s whims and caprices without adherence to existing rules of engagement,” she cautioned.
Senator Kingibe assured residents that she is actively engaging with relevant authorities to ensure that enforcement actions are consistent with the rule of law, fairness, and compassion. “As the elected Senator of the Federal Capital Territory, I cannot, and will not, stand idly by while residents are subjected to enforcement practices that contravene established laws and compound their suffering,” she stated.
She further emphasized that the ongoing practice of sudden enforcement without proper notice or engagement is unjust, unlawful, and economically damaging. “These actions only serve to deepen the hardship faced by families and businesses in the FCT. They erode public trust in institutions and destabilize the delicate socio-economic balance in our communities,” she said.
Senator Kingibe urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them that the matter is being addressed with seriousness. “We are committed to ensuring that dialogue, justice, and due process prevail,” she concluded. “As your elected representative, I will not stand by while residents suffer from enforcement measures that ignore the rule of law and compound their economic woes.”
