FCT Ground Rent: We Thought, Wike Was The President – Dele Momodu

• Applauds Tinubu’s intervention from Wike’s excesses

Dele Momodu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for halting the sealing of properties in Abuja over unpaid ground rent.

Momodu said before President Tinubu’s intervention, a lot of Nigerians used to think that there are two presidents in Nigeria namely; TINUBU and WIKE, stressing that the citizens now know that WIKE has a boss who can checkmate his excesses.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under the supervision of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, had on Monday, 26th May 2025, directed the sealing of numerous business premises in Abuja, including banks, filling stations, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) office, with particular target at the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wadata Plaza, situated at Wuse, Zone 5, Abuja.

Wike attributed his action to unpaid ground rents running to billions of Naira.

The presidential intervention followed widespread public backlash and criticisms from Nigerians, particularly affected property owners, which made President Tinubu to quickly ordered a temporary suspension of the enforcement and also granted defaulters a 14-day grace period within which to settle their ground rents.

Momodu wrote on his Instagram, praising President Tinubu’s quick intervention which he noted was a proof that he is firmly in control of his administration.

He also described Tinubu’s intervention as a significant check on what he described as Wike’s excesses, saying; “THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TINUBU.

“Your Excellency, good evening, sir. I have just read the news here in America that you have stepped into the matter of your cantankerous Minister of FCT, MR NYESOM WIKE who sealed the National Secretariat of the PDP, the biggest rival of your ruling party, APC, and properties of other defaulters in Abuja earlier today.

“While no one should condone non-compliance of government obligations, government must always restrain itself from vindictive outbursts such as that of Nigeria’s most querulous politician who I’m sure is fast becoming a liability to your government.

“The decision to stop Wike today achieved several points in your favour,” he said.

Momodu also criticized Wike’s approach in handling the matter, describing it as “vindictive and disruptive”, stressing that the FCT Minister exercises power as if he were not accountable to anyone.

He therefore urged President Tinubu to curb Wike’s political activities in Rivers State, where he (Wike) has been engaged in a prolonged power struggle with Governor Sim Fubara.

In the words of Momodu; “We used to think we have two presidents in Nigeria, TINUBU and WIKE. Now, we know WIKE has a boss who can checkmate his excesses.

“How I wished you had stopped his reckless disruption and distraction of the SIM FUBARA government in Rivers State and saved the hapless people from this unfortunate contraption called emergency rule.

“Nigerians are currently going through so much hardship and pain, and you need to rescue them from WIKE’s additional burden and insults.

“WIKE’s assignments are far smaller than that of Minister DAVE UMAHI, yet the man is so humble while WIKE subjects Nigerians to his tautological press conferences as if he’s running his own Federal government and not under anyone’s control.

“Sir, there can’t be two captains in one ship, and I hope WIKE got that message loud and clear from your powerful intervention today,” Momodu said.