Hold on to your hats, folks! Abuja is buzzing with news of a major land shake-up. FCT Minister Nyesom Wike is not playing around, y’all. He’s gone ahead and revoked land allocations in Maitama II, and guess who’s on the list? Top guns like governors, lawmakers, and other big names! It’s a real estate drama no one saw coming, and it’s got everyone talking.
Here’s a quick rundown of what’s going down:
- Big Names, Big Losses: Several high-profile figures, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives and some powerful governors, have had their land rights revoked.
- Why the Revocation? They failed to pay their Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) fees, that’s why. Wike is showing no favoritism here.
- No More Extensions: A grace period was given, but they still didn’t pay up, so Wike pulled the plug.
- Land Act in Play: The revocation is in line with the Land Use Act of 1978, which means it’s all legal, no matter how shocking it might be.
The Big Names on the List
So, who exactly got their land snatched? Well, let’s break it down:
- Rt. Hon. Abass Tajudeen: The Speaker of the House of Representatives. Talk about a fall from grace!
- Governor Hope Uzodimma: The Governor of Imo State. Seems like his real estate portfolio just took a hit.
- Governor Duoye Diri: The Governor of Bayelsa State also got caught up in this land sweep.
- Senator Ben Ayade: Former governor of Cross River state, not exempt from Wike’s actions.
- Abike Dabiri-Erewa: Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian in Diaspora Commission. Ouch!
- Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha: Minister of State for Labour and Employment, also affected by this move.
- Walter Onnoghen: The former Chief Justice of Nigeria. Even past officials aren’t spared.
- Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu: Former lawmaker and beauty queen. Guess she has one less plot of land now.
- Mrs. Regina Akume: Wife of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. This is getting messy!
- John Owan A. Enoh: A serving Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment. Looks like Wike doesn’t care about title.
Wike’s No-Nonsense Approach
Nyesom Wike has a reputation for being tough, and this move just confirms it. He’s not afraid to go after even the big guys if they don’t follow the rules. This isn’t the first time Wike has taken such drastic measures. He recently revoked land from Julius Berger due to non-usage, reallocating it for judicial quarters. He also revoked 165 plots of land from Peter Obi, Samad Rabiu, Kanu Agabi, and Liyel Imoke. It seems Wike is making sure everyone knows that non-compliance has consequences in Abuja.
The Land Use Act: What’s the Deal?
So, why can Wike just take back land like that? It all boils down to the Land Use Act of 1978. This law gives the government the power to revoke land rights if certain conditions aren’t met, like payment for C of O. Wike is simply using the law to enforce compliance and show that no one is above the law.
What Does This Mean for Abuja?
This move by Wike is sending a clear message about land management in the FCT. It’s not just about the money; it’s about fairness and order. It looks like things might change regarding who gets land in Abuja, and how those lands are managed.
Public Reaction
People are talking, and opinions are split. Some are praising Wike for his firm stance, while others are shocked by the high-profile names involved. This land revocation is sure to cause more drama in the weeks to come, as this situation unfolds.
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