The Federal Capital Territory has become a battleground for real estate developers and high-profile landowners after the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, revoked land allocations in the Maitama II area of Abuja, affecting 568 prominent individuals.

Amid the controversy, developers are scrambling to either pay up or protect their investments.

On January 15, 2025, the deadline to settle outstanding Certificate of Ownership fees for plots in Maitama II passed, and those who failed to comply had their land rights revoked under the Land Use Act of 1978.

Affected figures include the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri; Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

Also affected are the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; a former Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade; the Senate Minority Leader, Mr Abba Moro; and the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Samuel Anyanwu, among others.

In response to the revocations, many developers are grappling with the reality of having their plans disrupted.

An Abuja-based real estate developer, Ameh Daniel said property owners and politically exposed persons in the FCT were rushing to develop their property while also voicing growing frustration among developers in the region.

He citied significant challenges arising from recent land revocations and government’s demands for rapid payment of debts.

Speaking to Sunday PUNCH on Friday, Daniel noted that many developers were shifting away from large-scale projects, preferring to invest in smaller plots ranging from two to four hectares instead of massive land tracts.

“Many developers today aim to avoid large-scale projects, typically opting for land sizes of two to four hectares instead of massive plots. This allows them to work within their budgets while still investing in profitable developments,” he stated.

Daniel highlighted a looming crisis in the industry, pointing to the recent property revocations by the minister that had interrupted numerous projects.

“Recent property revocations in Abuja are causing significant concern in the real estate sector. While property owners are now rushing to develop their property; developers are frustrated by these actions, as they disrupt existing plans and investments. Some developers are being relocated to new areas, which often leads to conflicts,” he added.

A major pain point for developers, according to Daniel, is the difficulty in securing the Certificates of Occupancy.

According to him, the process is slow and often clashes with the accelerated timelines set by the government for construction.

“This challenge arises from the time frames involved in property development. Developers are under pressure from the government to accelerate their construction plans, which complicates the timely processing of C-of-Os,” he said.

Daniel also criticised the government’s recent directive requiring developers to settle debts within just two weeks.

He argued that the short time frame did not align with the cash flow dynamics of the real estate business.

“It’s affecting sales, as potential buyers are becoming hesitant. There is growing concern about the stability of their investments. People are asking: ‘What if my property is revoked too?’ This uncertainty is causing a decline in confidence within the market,” he said.

Real-life cases of revocation, particularly in the Idu Train Station area, have further complicated the situation.

Daniel recalled one instance where a developer was forced to refund a client after their property was seized for reallocation.

“There have been reports of massive land revocations, particularly in areas like the Idu Train Station, where property was seized to be reallocated to people of their caucus,” he said.

Daniel added that the current environment had placed developers in a difficult position.

According to him, with strict deadlines and the threat of land revocations hanging over them, many are finding it hard to trust the system.

The challenge is not limited to developers.

Sunday PUNCH gathered that individual property owners were also affected.

The Chairman, Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria, Dr Samson Opaluwah, highlighted the broader implications of the government’s actions.

“We’ve received numerous complaints from property owners about the financial strain these short deadlines are imposing,” Opaluwah said.

“Many people have neglected these payments for years, and now, they’re expected to pay large sums in just two weeks. This is placing an impossible burden on them,” he added.

Opaluwah appealed directly to the FCT Authority, urging for more time to settle outstanding payments.

“We understand the government’s position on enforcing land-use regulations, but we believe a more flexible payment schedule would alleviate the pressure many developers and property owners are facing. A grace period for them to spread out payments over time is critical,” he said.

A call for flexibility

The real estate community remains divided over the government’s strategy, with some seeing it as an essential move towards accountability, while others warn that the two-week notice is insufficient.

Opaluwah said the ongoing situation called for a broader dialogue between the authorities and stakeholders in the real estate sector.

“We urge the FCTA to consider an extension and allow for more flexible payment terms. It’s not just about enforcing laws; it’s about ensuring the long-term stability and growth of the real estate sector, which is vital for the nation’s economy,” Opaluwah added.

The Special Assistant on Media to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, highlighted growing public recognition of the government’s ability to fulfill its promises.

“People are starting to see that when the government says it will do something, it can actually do it. Before, the general mindset was that the government often doesn’t follow through on its promises, and that once a new administration comes in, things would revert to the old ways. But now, people are noticing that when this government makes a commitment, it delivers almost immediately,” he said.

Olayinka emphasised that this shift in perception reflects the government’s consistent follow-through on its policies and actions.

“It’s clear that the people are now beginning to trust the government’s ability to implement its plans. This is a significant change in how they view governmental actions,” he said.

Additionally, Olayinka pointed out the leadership style of the minister, noting his impartial approach to governance.

“People are also recognising that the minister does not let personal feelings, whether towards friends, allies, or even political opponents, interfere with his decisions. His focus is solely on ensuring that everyone adheres to the rules,” he added.

According to the minister’s aide, this strict adherence to rules is a cornerstone of the Wike’s leadership.

“What matters most is that we all follow the rules, regardless of political affiliation. That’s the key to effective governance.”

Lawmaker pleads for time

Meanwhile, a member of the House of Representatives, Mr Oluwole Oke, has called on Wike to grant time extension to allottees of the 568 plots of land revoked by the FCTA to settle their Certificate of Occupancy.

Oke, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, made the plea in an interview with Sunday PUNCH in Abuja.

Oke, who represents Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency, Osun State, urged the minister to extend time of payment for the C-of-O, noting that there was nothing on the ground in terms of amenities where the plots were located.

He said, “It’s an appeal to the honourable minister to please give us an extension of time because there is no infrastructure in these areas. That was why most people didn’t pay and most of these allocations were done in appreciation of service rendered to the nation.

“So, it’s an appeal we need to make to the minister because the law allows him to do what he did.”