Wike faces backlash over sealing of buildings in Abuja, as FIRS says “We are not owing ground rent”
By KEMI KASUMU
The political undertone denied by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in the sealing of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s national secretariat may have turned out to be true, as critics view the sealing of other places as mere coverup to avoid being accused of authoritarianism.
The DEFENDER’s finding revealed definition of authoritarianism as a political system characterized by rejection of political plurality, the use of strong central power to preserve the political status quo, and reductions in democracy, separation of powers, civil liberties, and the rule of law.
Those critics are further vindicated by revelation by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), which condemned what it called ‘the embarrassing invasion’ of two of its offices by officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to enforce non-payment of ground rent.
READ ALSO: SEALING OF THE PDP NATIONAL SECRETARIAT: Matters arising
The Director, Facility Management Department of FIRS, Mr Tyofa Abeghe and Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Kunle Ogidi, the Media Team, Dare Adekanmbi, Collins Omokaro and Arabirin Aderonke Atoyebi during a press conference in Abuja on Monday May 26, 2025 demanded an apology from the FCTA officials for the unjustifiable invasion, having acted in error.
The FIRS denied allegations by the FCTA that it owed 25-year ground rents for two of its offices at No 12 and 14, Sokode Crescent, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.
Abeghe said nothing could be further from the truth on the claim as FIRS had paid the said money.
He said a demand notice from Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) dated September 2023, asking for ground rent on the properties was honoured with a payment of N2, 364, 003 three months after the notice was issued.
Frustrated that the payment had not receipted and treasury receipt issued, Abeghe wrote a letter dated February 19, 2024, requesting that the payment be confirmed and same receipted.
The letter, which was duly acknowledged by the front desk office of AGIS, was neither responded to nor the payment receipted. Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Ogidi accused the FCTA administration of rascality, adding that the administration did not do its job well.
He said there is no doubt that the FIRS has paid the ground rent in question without fail.
“As a law-abiding agency, FIRS does not owe FCTA ground rent on any of its offices in FCT on anywhere, including the ones invaded by these officials.
“For clarity, on the two offices sealed which are located on Plot 627, Sokode Crescent, a sum of N2, 364, 003.26 covering ground rent on the properties for the fiscal year 2000 to 2024 has since been paid.
“FIRS has about seven offices in Sokode Crescent alone. Why are we going to pay ground rent on others and leave only two? Does that make sense?” asked the Special Adviser Media, Dare Adekanmbi.
In their own remarks, Omokaro and Arabirin stressed the need to nurture and strengthen inter-agency collaboration to avoid future occurrence, while also apologising to members of staff and taxpayers who were traumatised during the invasion.
