The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has nullified the land allocations of several high-profile individuals, including governors and senators. Among those affected are Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu. A total of 568 land allocations in Maitama II, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja, have been withdrawn due to non-payment of Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills within the stipulated grace period.
According to Lere Olayinka, the minister’s media aide, the revocation followed the failure of the allottees to meet the extended payment deadline. This decision also affects other notable Nigerians, such as former Enugu State Governor Chimaroke Nnamani, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, and Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
The withdrawal stems from an earlier directive issued in October 2024, which required 3,273 allottees to settle their C-of-O bills within two weeks or risk losing their Rights of Occupancy (R-of-O). While 2,511 individuals complied, 762 failed to meet the deadline. An additional two-week grace period was granted, but as of January 15, 2025, only 194 had fulfilled their obligations, leaving 568 allottees in default.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) issued an official notice stating, “The FCTA wishes to inform the allottee(s)/title holder(s) of plot(s) of land in Maitama II, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja, who have failed to make payment for their Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills after the expiration of the grace period granted by the Honourable Minister, Federal Capital Territory, that their Right of Occupancy to the land/property has been withdrawn. This action is in accordance with Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978, which allows for such measures in cases of contravention of the terms of grant requiring timely payment of all bills.”
The notice clarified that allottees who completed their payments by January 15, 2025, are not affected by the revocation.
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