By Kolawole Ojebisi
Prominent politicians including members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are affected by the revocation order issued by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)Minister, Nyesom Wike.
This is as the minister ordered the revocation of plots of land belonging to 568 individuals in the Maitama II area of Abuja.
It was gathered that among those affected are some state governors including Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa state, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, serving ministers, Senators, chieftains of political parties, amongst others.
A notice of withdrawal issued by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) stated the reason for the revocation move.
According to the withdrawal notice the affected persons were said to have failed to pay their certificate of occupancy (C-of-O) bills following the expiration of the “grace period” given by the minister.
The FCTA said those who paid their C-of-O bills on or before January 15, 2025 are not affected by the notice.
“The Federal Capital Territory Administration, 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 grace period granted by the Honourable Minister, Federal Capital Territory that their Right of Occupancy to the land/property have been withdrawn, pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978 for contravention of the terms of grant which obligated the title/interest holders to settle all bills,” the notice reads.
“The general public is, however, invited to note that allottees/title holders who have completed their payments on or before 15/01/2025 are not affected by this publication.”
Some of the individuals affected are Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo; Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa; Opeyemi Bamidele, senate leader; Samuel Anyanwu, national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Chimaroke Nnamani, former governor of Enugu; Abba Moro, senate minority leader; Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM); and Oluwole Oke, lawmaker representing Obokon/Oriade federal constituency in the house of representatives.
On October 5, 2024, the FCTA published a list of 3,273 title holders who were yet to pay their C-of-O bills.
After the publication, 2,511 title holders paid their bills, while 762 defaulted. In December 2024, Wike issued another two-week ultimatum to owners of the 762 plots of land in Maitama to pay for their C-of-O or risk final revocation.
