Land revocation in Abuja: Wike targets top Nigerians over unpaid ground rent

By: Abudu Olalekan

Let’s cut to the chase.

Nyesom Wike just revoked 1,095 properties in Abuja. And not just any properties—land belonging to former presidents, ex-governors, generals, banks, even the Navy.

Why? Because they didn’t pay their bills.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) dropped the bomb over the weekend. After a 14-day grace period that ended on November 25, 2025, Wike said enough. And now, a whole lot of powerful people are scrambling.

The List Reads Like a Who’s Who of Nigeria
Out of the 1,095 defaulters, 835 didn’t pay their ground rent. 260 ignored land use conversion fees. The FCTA didn’t just name names—they published file numbers, plot numbers, districts, how much they owe, even the revocation dates.

And the names? Oh, they’re juicy.

Former military bigwigs? Theophilus Danjuma. Ex-first ladies? Patience Jonathan. Ex-senate presidents? David Mark. Emirs? Ibrahim Sulu Gambari of Ilorin. Governors? Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti), Donald Duke (Cross River).

Politicians? Abubakar Kawu Baraje (former PDP chair), Iyiola Omisore (ex-Osun deputy governor), Ali Ndume (Senator). Elders? Tony Anenih, Bolaji Akinyemi. Business tycoons? Aminu Dantata, Jimoh Ibrahim.

Institutions? The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The Navy. The NNPC. The Nigeria Police. Even Borno, Kaduna, and Oyo state governments.

Banks? First Bank, GTBank, UBA, Zenith, Ecobank. Unions? The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). Universities? The Committee of Vice Chancellors.

How Did We Get Here?
The FCTA says they warned everyone. Notices in newspapers. Ads on TV. Online alerts. But the defaulters? They ignored it.

And now? They’ve broken the law. Specifically, Section 28, Subsection 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act. Plus, they violated the terms of their Certificate of Occupancy.

The Fallout? Chaos.
Imagine waking up to find your multi-million-naira property in Abuja just got seized. That’s what’s happening right now.

Ganduje (Kano governor) has land in Abuja? Gone. Fayose (Ekiti ex-governor)? Gone. Danjuma (former army chief)? Gone. Even the Nigerian Navy and CBN are on the list.

And it’s not just individuals. BUA International Limited. Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Standard Trust Bank. All defaulters.

Why Now?
Wike’s not playing. Abuja’s land is gold. And if you’re not paying your dues? You’re out.

The FCTA says they gave multiple warnings. But when the deadline hit? Boom. Revocation letters went out.

What’s Next?
The defaulters have two choices: pay up or lose everything.

Some will fight it in court. Others will negotiate. A few might even disappear from the radar.

But one thing’s clear—Wike’s sending a message. No one’s above the law. Not even Nigeria’s most powerful.

And if you thought this was just about land? Think again.

This is about power. About who really runs Abuja.

And right now? That man is Nyesom Wike.