President Bola Tinubu has drawn almost sarcastic praise from Dele Momodu, a well-known media mogul and PDP politician, for finally stamping his feet to moderate the overbearing influence of Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Chief Nyesom Wike.
Wike has ordered the sealing of properties in Abuja over unpaid ground rent. Some of the buildings include banks, petrol stations, and even the national secretariat of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
These properties were sealed on Monday, May 26. The FCTA said owners owed billions of Naira in ground rent. But the action drew heavy criticism from the public and business owners. Many said the clampdown came without proper notice or opportunity for negotiation.
Reacting to the backlash, President Tinubu ordered a temporary suspension of the enforcement exercise. He also gave a 14-day grace period for all affected property owners to clear their debts. The President’s decision received praise from many Nigerians, including PDP chieftain Dele Momodu.
Momodu Hails Tinubu’s Leadership
Momodu thanked the president for his intervention, saying the president had finally shown that he is fully in charge of his administration.
“THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TINUBU, Your Excellency, good evening, sir. I have just read the news here in America that you have stepped into the matter of your cantankerous Minister of FCT, MR NYESOM WIKE who sealed the National Secretariat of the PDP, the biggest rival of your ruling party, APC, and properties of other defaulters in Abuja earlier today,” Momodu wrote on Instagram.
He acknowledged that paying ground rent is a legal obligation. However, he called Wike’s actions vindictive and politically motivated. According to Momodu, the move looked more like a political attack than proper governance.
“While no one should condone non-compliance of government obligations, government must always restrain itself from vindictive outbursts such as that of Nigeria’s most querulous politician who I’m sure is fast becoming a liability to your government. The decision to stop Wike today achieved several points in your favour.”
Call to Check Wike’s Influence in Rivers State
Momodu also asked President Tinubu to step in and stop Wike’s political actions in Rivers State. Wike’s power struggle with Governor Siminalayi Fubara had led to the presidential suspension of the state administration.
“We used to think we have two presidents in Nigeria, TINUBU and WIKE. Now, we know WIKE has a boss who can checkmate his excesses. How I wished you had stopped his reckless disruption and distraction of the SIM FUBARA government in Rivers State and saved the hapless people from this unfortunate contraption called emergency rule.”
Momodu compared Wike with Minister Dave Umahi, who handles the Ministry of Works. He said Umahi carries out his duties humbly, unlike Wike who acts like he’s running a parallel government.
“WIKE’s assignments are far smaller than that of Minister DAVE UMAHI, yet the man is so humble while WIKE subjects Nigerians to his tautological press conferences as if he’s running his own Federal government and not under anyone’s control.”
He ended his message with a pointed remark: “Sir, there can’t be two captains in one ship, and I hope WIKE got that message loud and clear from your powerful intervention today.”
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