Dele Momodu, a prominent figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a former presidential aspirant, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for stepping in to halt the mass sealing of properties in Abuja initiated by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration. At the same time, he issued a strong rebuke to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, accusing him of acting as though he were Nigeria’s co-president.
Earlier in the week, the FCT Administration began a sweeping enforcement exercise, sealing over 4,000 properties for failure to pay ground rent. Among the affected properties were high-profile buildings including the PDP National Secretariat, offices of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Access Bank, TotalEnergies, and Ibro Hotel, all situated in Wuse Zone.
This action followed Wike’s directive on Friday, ordering the FCTA to assume control of properties whose titles had been revoked due to non-compliance.
However, by Monday evening, FCT Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, confirmed that President Tinubu had intervened in the matter. As a result, the affected property owners have now been given a 14-day grace period to settle outstanding ground rents along with any applicable penalties.
“The President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has intervened,” the statement read. “By his directive, property holders now have two weeks to regularize their payments.”
In response, Momodu took to his Facebook page from the United States to commend Tinubu’s leadership while lambasting Wike’s heavy-handed approach.
“Your Excellency, good evening Sir,” Momodu wrote. “I just read the news here in America that you have intervened in the matter concerning your cantankerous FCT Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike, who earlier today sealed off the PDP National Secretariat—your party’s biggest rival—and other properties in Abuja.”
While acknowledging the importance of adhering to government obligations, Momodu stressed that state authority must never appear vindictive. “Governments should not descend into petty displays of power like those we’ve seen from Nigeria’s most combative politician, who, I believe, is becoming a liability to your administration,” he added.
Momodu applauded Tinubu for reining in Wike, saying, “This intervention serves several purposes. Until today, many Nigerians believed we had two presidents—Tinubu and Wike. Now it is clear Wike has a superior who can curb his excesses.”
He further criticized Wike for his role in the ongoing political unrest in Rivers State, accusing him of undermining Governor Siminalayi Fubara. “I wish you had also stopped Wike’s destabilizing tactics in Rivers and spared its citizens from the looming threat of emergency rule,” he lamented.
Momodu contrasted Wike with Minister of Works Dave Umahi, noting Umahi’s humility despite managing a larger portfolio. “Wike, on the other hand, continues to bombard Nigerians with endless press conferences, behaving as if he’s running a parallel federal government, accountable to no one,” he said.
He concluded with a pointed remark: “Sir, two captains cannot command one ship. I trust Wike got that message loud and clear from your timely and authoritative intervention today.”
