….insists on upholding South-South Congress
….says Emergency rule enabled LGs in Rivers to access funds from federation account
…FCTA Will Seal Properties Of Owners Still Owing Ground Rent
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced that the recent turmoil within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been resolved for the time being, following the defection of key figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on August 4, 2025, Wike emphasized that while the party has achieved temporary stability, certain unresolved issues still require attention.
“For now, the crisis in PDP is over, but there are still some matters that need proper resolution,” Wike stated, addressing the recent high-profile exits from the party.
The former Rivers State governor outlined conditions for achieving lasting peace within the PDP, particularly stressing the importance of upholding the party’s South-South zonal congress.
Wike maintained that the congress, which saw Chief Dan Orbih emerge as the National Vice Chairman, was conducted in accordance with a court ruling and must be respected.
“Our South-South zonal congress, held in Calabar, is non-negotiable. The court permitted it, and no one can challenge its legitimacy,” Wike asserted.
He further dismissed claims by the acting National Chairman that PDP governors opposed the national congress, questioning their stance now that the South-South congress had proceeded successfully.
Wike warned that any attempt to undermine the congress could spark another round of conflict within the party.
“If they want to ignite another crisis, let them try. Our congress was held, and Chief Dan Orbih was duly elected,” he reiterated.
The minister’s remarks come amid ongoing efforts to stabilize the PDP following a period of internal strife, with Wike signaling that adherence to the party’s established processes is crucial for sustained unity.
Emergency rule enabled LGs in Rivers to access funds from federation account
Speaking on emergency rule in Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, said the emergency rule declared in Rivers state ensured that LGs accessed funds from the federation account.
Speaking during a media parley in Abuja on Monday, Wike said President Bola Tinubu acted within the law when he declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the expiration of the tenure of elected LG officials.
“People say the declaration of emergency was illegal — how many of them have pursued the matter in court till today?” he asked.
“Filing a matter for people to say we have filed a matter does not mean they want to pursue the matter. It’s to play to the gallery.”
The former Rivers governor said it was his team that secured a supreme court judgement affirming that emergency rule can override some legal provisions.
He explained that the supreme court had ruled that no governor can appoint a caretaker committee and that where there are no LGS, such councils cannot access the federation account.
“Because of emergency rule, that judgement was set aside to allow local governments access to funds, and that’s why they appointed sole administrators in the councils,” he said.
He said Tinubu relied on the Emergency Powers Act, as modified by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2004, to issue regulations enabling the electoral commission in Rivers to conduct LG elections in June.
According to Wike, the regulation gave 90 days for elections to be held to ensure that LG structures are in place before the emergency rule is lifted.
“If you don’t do that election now, if the governor comes, the governor will give notice of one year, by the supreme court judgement, and when you give notice of one year, you cannot set up a caretaker committee, and you cannot have access to the federation account—what happens to the local government?” he queried.
Wike added that the president does not intend to extend the emergency rule; hence, the urgency to conduct elections and avoid a governance vacuum.
The minister also took a swipe at former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
FCTA Will Seal Properties Of Owners Still Owing Ground Rent
Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday, said that the FCTA administration will seal up properties in Abuja whose owners have yet to pay ground rent.
He expressed dismay that, despite the grace period given by President Bola Tinubu, some of the owners had refused to clear their debts.
“Mr. President said two weeks, we are more than three months [since the grace period]. That is Nigeria for you.
“We have just finished a programme. I am going to seal up all those properties; I’m going to seal them up.”
The minister said that the government would no longer allow property owners to deny it the taxes needed for development.
“You can’t deny us the taxes we use for development. Pay us the taxes that you are supposed to pay, you said, ‘No’.
“We have listened to Mr. President. In his wisdom, he said, ‘Give them two weeks, give them two months.’ We have done that.
“Some have done that. Some have refused to comply,” Wike said.
He said he would not listen to those who would accuse him of playing politics or discouraging investors when the FCTA seals the affected properties.
“If you have not complied, if you have not paid, we are going to seal it up. This is what we cannot continue to allow in this country,” he added.
Officials of the FCTA had sealed the PDP headquarters, also known as Wadata Plaza, in Abuja in May during the enforcement of the revocation of 4,794 properties for non-payment of ground rent, which ranged from 10 to 43 years.
Properties owned by government institutions, corporate organisations, and individuals were also affected.
Defaulters were later granted a 14-day grace period to settle their ground rents, along with associated penalties, following Tinubu’s intervention.
