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Wike Says “We’ll Increase Ground Rents, Blackmail Won’t Stop Us”

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Wike

Wike Says “We’ll Increase Ground Rents, Blackmail Won’t Stop Us”

Wike says “We’ll increase ground rents, blackmail won’t stop us”. Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says he will not succumb to blackmail over the issue of unpaid ground rent.
On Monday, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) sealed off the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) office in Zone 5 over an alleged failure to pay ground rent.

Other buildings were also shut as part of  enforcement efforts of the FCTA, which recently revoked 4,794 land titles in Wuse, Maitama, Asokoro, and Garki over “years of unpaid ground rents”.

FCTA officials said 8,375 property owners collectively owe about N6.97 billion, with some debts dating back more than 40 years.

Subsequently, President Bola Tinubu issued a 14-day ultimatum for defaulting property owners to pay their alleged ground rent debts.
PDP chieftains have criticised Wike for sealing off the its headquarters despite being a member of the party.

Speaking during an inspection of ongoing projects in Abuja on Tuesday, Wike said his greatest challenge remains the persistent refusal of residents to fulfil their tax obligations.

The FCT minister said plans are underway for a review of the ground rents for property owners in the city.

“People just want infrastructure and facilities; nobody asked where the funds are coming from. Abuja is not one of the oil-producing cities — we rely on taxes. These are not even new taxes; they are taxes that have been here for years,” he said.

Wike

Wike

“It is unfortunate that most elites own houses overseas. They know the implications of not paying your taxes. They know such houses are gone. When it comes to your country, you don’t want to do that simply because nobody wants to obey laws.
Everybody thinks that there are no sanctions.
“We have not increased the ground rent; we are working towards that. We will do that.

“The president has given a window of two weeks; let nobody think that blackmail will stop us. We will do what we are supposed to do. We won’t give in to blackmail.”

Abuja

Obi, Amaechi, Others Meet In Abuja, Discuss Nigeria’s Democratic Future

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Peter Obi

Obi, Amaechi, Others Meet In Abuja, Discuss Nigeria’s Democratic Future

Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation, on Saturday hosted Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), and other opposition leaders at his Abuja residence.

Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra central, Achike Udenwa, former governor of Anambra; and Victor Oganku were also at the meeting.

TheCable understands that discussions by the politicians centred on strengthening the opposition front and Nigeria’s democratic future.

Amaechi, Obi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar are members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and are eyeing the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.

The former minister contested the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary and came second behind President Bola Tinubu, who won the party’s ticket.

In March, Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the ADC, said the party was working to adopt a consensus approach in selecting its presidential candidate for the 2027 poll.

Abdullahi said the party had the options of direct primaries and consensus for electing its presidential candidate, adding that indirect primaries were “no longer on the table”, as stipulated in the amended Electoral Act.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, Amaechi said he has positioned himself as a viable contender for the next presidential race on the ADC platform.

Amaechi rejected the call for a consensus arrangement within the ADC ahead of the 2027 poll, insisting that aspirants must be allowed to test their popularity at the ballot.

Peter Obi

Peter Obi

He said Nigerians are yearning for competent leadership to address economic hardship and insecurity.

The former governor of Rivers, however, said he would support Abubakar if the former vice-president emerges as the party’s standard-bearer for the 2027 presidential poll.

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Abuja

FG Warns Against Illegal Use Of Ambassador Title, Fake Diplomatic Identities

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Tinubu Swears In Aminu Yusuf

FG Warns Against Illegal Use Of Ambassador Title, Fake Diplomatic Identities

President Bola Tinubu-led federal government has warned against the rising abuse of diplomatic titles in Nigeria, particularly the illegal use of the designation “Ambassador” by unauthorised individuals and groups.

The warning was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, in Abuja.

“Some of the persons conferred illegally with the Ambassadorial titles unfortunately parade themselves as such in official communications and even in engagements with foreign embassies in Nigeria which has caused serious embarrassment to the federal government.

“The Ministry warns that individuals parading themselves as “Ambassadors” based on such deceitful conferment are engaging in impersonation, which is a criminal offence and therefore strongly cautions all persons involved in such illegalities or parading themselves as Ambassadors to desist forthwith,” the statement said.

The government also raised alarm over the use of fake diplomatic passports, identity cards, vehicle number plates, and other materials bearing the insignia of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by impostors.

Tinubu Swears In Aminu Yusuf

Tinubu

According to the statement, some of those involved in the practice go as far as parading themselves as ambassadors in official correspondence and in dealings with foreign missions in Nigeria, a development it said has embarrassed the country.

It, however, stressed that only the president and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces has the constitutional authority to appoint and accredit ambassadors for Nigeria, adding that no individual, group, or organisation has the power to confer diplomatic titles.

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Abuja

NPF Debunks False Terror Alert In FCT, Arrests Suspect For Incitement

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Plateau Police

NPF Debunks False Terror Alert In FCT, Arrests Suspect For Incitement

False terror alert in FCT,. The Nigeria Police Force wishes to categorically debunk a viral video circulating on social media alleging an ongoing terrorist attack in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The Force states unequivocally that no such incident occurred, and the claims contained in the video are entirely false, misleading, and malicious.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the video was deliberately curated using misleading footage sourced from online platforms to construct a false narrative aimed at causing panic, inciting public fear, and undermining public confidence in the security architecture of the nation’s capital.

In furtherance of its commitment to maintaining public order, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested one Pam Joseph in connection with the creation and dissemination of the false content. The arrest followed credible intelligence and digital forensic investigations linking the suspect to the origin and circulation of the video.

The Force reiterates that while citizens have the right to freedom of expression, such rights do not extend to the deliberate spread of misinformation capable of threatening public peace and national security. Members of the public are therefore advised to verify information before sharing and to refrain from engaging in activities that may incite fear or disorder.

Plateau Police

Police

The suspect is currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to safeguarding public order and national security, and will continue to monitor digital spaces and take decisive action against individuals who engage in the dissemination of false or misleading information.

DCP ANTHONY OKON PLACID psc(+) mni
Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters, Abuja
10th April, 2026

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