Wike Goes After Prominent Nigerians, Revokes Abuja Land Titles 

Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has approved the cancellation of more than 1,000 land titles across Abuja — an unprecedented enforcement action that has swept up some of Nigeria’s most recognizable political and traditional figures.

The minister’s directive targets plots whose beneficiaries allegedly failed to comply with statutory land regulations, including payment of ground rent and proper land-use documentation.

Among the notable names whose allocations were affected are former First Lady Patience Jonathan, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, former Ogun State lawmaker Iyabo Obasanjo, retired General T.Y. Danjuma, and the Emir of Ilorin.

The revocation list also includes companies, estates, and private developers spanning various sectors.

The affected properties are situated within some of Abuja’s most coveted districts such as Asokoro, Maitama, Garki, and Wuse — areas known for hosting top government officials, diplomatic residences, and premium real estate. According to the FCT authorities, numerous notifications reminding defaulting occupants to settle outstanding obligations were issued over a span of several months before the final revocation decision was enacted.

Officials within the FCTA clarified that the move was not targeted at specific individuals but rather at enforcing compliance with existing land policies. They maintained that failure to regularize documentation and outstanding payments leaves the government with no option but to withdraw the rights of occupancy to reclaim proper administrative control of the capital’s land assets.

The administration further stressed that affected individuals still possess legal avenues to challenge or appeal the revocation, provided they can produce evidence of compliance or rectify pending obligations.

However, the government has signaled that ongoing enforcement will proceed swiftly, and reclaimed parcels may ultimately be reassigned or put to public use.

Observers suggest the action may trigger court interventions and political reactions in the days ahead, especially among those who insist they have met required obligations or were not adequately notified.

For others, the sweeping cancellation may reignite debate over land allocation transparency, record compliance, and systemic accountability within the FCT bureaucracy.