Ground Rent Enforcement: Wike’s Media Aide Responds to Senator Ireti Kingibe

Mr. Lere Olayinka, the Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, has issued a strong rebuttal to Senator Ireti Kingibe regarding her criticisms of the ongoing enforcement of ground rent collection by the FCT Administration.

According to a report by LMSINT MEDIA, Senator Kingibe, who serves as the Labour Party representative for the FCT in the Senate, had voiced concerns over the recent sealing of properties in the capital, labeling the move unconstitutional.

In her statement, Senator Kingibe emphasized that although citizens must fulfill their tax responsibilities, the default on ground rent alone does not legally justify the forceful confiscation or sealing of private properties.

Reacting to her remarks, Olayinka clarified in a Thursday press release in Abuja that the senator appeared unfamiliar with the Land Use Act. He argued that the Act clearly outlines the conditions that accompany land allocation, including the mandatory annual payment of ground rent, even in the absence of a formal demand notice.

He further described Kingibe’s position as unfounded and politically motivated. “Land comes with obligations,” Olayinka stated, “and one of those is consistent payment of ground rent.”

Olayinka urged Senator Kingibe not to exploit the enforcement campaign as a political tactic. He criticized her understanding of the legal framework, stating, “It is alarming that a serving senator appears unaware of Section 28, Subsections (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.”

He explained that the law empowers the government to revoke statutory rights of occupancy based on any breach outlined in the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), including failure to meet financial obligations like ground rent.

Quoting the law, he added, “‘The Government may revoke a Statutory Right of Occupancy on the ground of; (a) a breach of any of the provisions which a certificate of occupancy is by Section 10 deemed to contain; and (b) a breach of any term contained in the Certificate of Occupancy.’”

Olayinka questioned if the senator would tolerate a scenario where individuals fail to pay ground rent for periods ranging from 10 to 43 years, particularly if she were the one in charge of the FCT Ministry.

It should be noted that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) initiated a widespread recovery campaign on Monday, targeting over 4,794 properties revoked due to non-payment of ground rent. The cumulative debt has exceeded ₦6 billion.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has since extended a 14-day grace period for property owners to clear their outstanding rent and related penalties.