Reasons Sen Ireti Kingibe Frowned at Wike Over Ground Rent

Accolades continue to fall in place for President Bola Tinubu’s temporary suspension of the contentious ground rent payment in the federal capital territory.

The move for payment of ground rent was initiated by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, but the lawmaker representing the FCT, Senator Ireti Kingibe, has said that the minister’s move was an abuse of due process describing the move as indiscriminate and unwarranted

There’s no doubt that the Senator’s intervention has triggered policy conversations regarding the legality and humanity of current enforcement practices in the territory, with many commentators urging the FCT Minister to engage more thoughtfully with citizens.

According to Senator Kingibe, the FCT Administration should not have undertaken such drastic action without complying with legal and constitutional provisions, knowing its adverse impact on the people in these hard economic times

She expressed worry that the properties were being sealed off without appropriate engagement and adherence to due process, noting that there are numerous reports alleging a lack of proper documentation of ground rent payments by individuals and corporate organisations.

While acknowledging the importance of tax enforcement, Senator Kingibe cautioned that no Nigerian property should be arbitrarily sealed or taken over based on just an individual’s whims and caprices without adherence to existing rules of engagement.

Stressing her point further, the FCT Senator said, “Ground rent, by law, does not justify arbitrary property takeovers. The penalty for non-payment is limited to fines or surcharges, not revocation or sealing, unless due legal processes are followed.”

Senator Kingibe emphasized that the Land Use Act and the Urban and Regional Planning Act mandate that any land revocation for public interest must include fair compensation and follow clearly defined legal steps. She added that the ongoing practice of sudden enforcement without proper notice or engagement is unjust, unlawful, and economically damaging.

“These actions only serve to deepen the hardship faced by families and businesses in the FCT. They erode public trust in institutions and destabilize the delicate socio-economic balance in our communities,” she said.

The senator reaffirmed her commitment to defending the rights of FCT residents, stating that she is currently engaging relevant government bodies and considering legislative interventions to stop the alleged abuses.

Urging all residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and confident in the ongoing efforts to ensure fairness, transparency, and justice, Senator Kingibe assured the people thus; “As your elected representative, I will not stand by while residents suffer from enforcement measures that ignore the rule of law and compound their economic woes”.

The statement comes amid rising tension among FCT property owners and business operators, many of whom have decried the recent wave of abrupt property sealings believed to be linked to ground rent enforcement drives.

The Full Statement Below:
“I am deeply concerned by the growing number of reports regarding the sealing of properties across the Federal Capital Territory by various government agencies. While the enforcement of regulations and tax obligations is necessary, such actions must be carried out within the bounds of legality, fairness, and sensitivity to the current economic realities faced by residents.

It is important to clarify that ground rent, a tax charged and collected by state governments on land granted under the Lands (Title Vesting, etc) Act of 1975, is not grounds for arbitrary property takeover.

While the government retains the constitutional power to revoke land for overriding public interest, such revocation must strictly follow due legal process as stipulated under the Land Use Act and the Urban and Regional Planning Act, including the payment of due compensation.

Therefore, no Nigerian’s property can be lawfully seized, revoked, or sealed solely on account of failure to pay ground rent. The penalty for such default is, by law, limited to a fine or surcharge, not the compulsory taking over or sealing of the property without recourse to the due process prescribed under Section 42 of the Land Use Act and other relevant provisions.

The indiscriminate and sometimes abrupt sealing of properties, often executed without proper notice, engagement, or adherence to legal procedure, only serves to deepen the economic distress of individuals, families, and business owners already facing mounting hardship. These actions undermine livelihoods, erode public trust in institutions, and risk destabilizing the fragile balance of social and economic stability within the FCT.

As the elected Senator of the Federal Capital Territory, I cannot, and will not, stand idly by while residents are subjected to enforcement practices that contravene established laws and compound their suffering. I am actively engaging with relevant authorities and exploring all legislative avenues to ensure that any enforcement actions taken are consistent with the rule of law, fairness, and compassion.

I urge all residents and business owners to remain calm and law-abiding. Please rest assured that this matter is being addressed with the seriousness it deserves. We are committed to ensuring that dialogue, justice, and due process prevail”.