Dele Momodu, a prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, has praised President Bola Tinubu for halting the sealing of properties in Abuja, describing the move as clear evidence that Tinubu is firmly in charge of his administration.
The controversy began on Monday, May 26, when the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA), under the supervision of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, sealed multiple business premises across Abuja. Among the properties affected were banks, filling stations, the Federal Inland Revenue Service office, and notably, the national secretariat of the PDP. The reason given for the sealing was unpaid ground rents totaling billions of Naira.
However, the sealing triggered widespread public backlash and strong criticism from property owners and political observers. In response, President Tinubu ordered a temporary suspension of the enforcement action. He also granted all property owners a 14-day grace period to settle their outstanding debts.
Reacting on Instagram, Dele Momodu praised President Tinubu’s intervention and described it as a crucial check on what he termed the excesses of Minister Nyesom Wike.
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Momodu said, “THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TINUBU, Your Excellency. 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.”
He added that while the government must enforce compliance with its regulations, it must avoid vindictive actions like those he attributed to Wike, whom he called “Nigeria’s most querulous politician.” According to Momodu, President Tinubu’s decision to stop the sealing achieved several positive points in his favour.
The PDP leader also criticized Wike’s approach as vindictive and disruptive, accusing him of wielding power irresponsibly and acting as if he answers to no one.
Momodu further urged President Tinubu to rein in Wike’s political activities in Rivers State, where Wike has been involved in a long-standing power struggle with Governor Sim Fubara. “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,” Momodu said.
He continued, “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 emphasized the hardships Nigerians are currently facing and called on President Tinubu to rescue the nation from “Wike’s additional burden and insults.” He noted that while other ministers like Dave Umahi remain humble, Wike holds tautological press conferences as though running his own federal government.
Concluding, Momodu said, “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.”
The Abuja property sealing controversy continues to spark political debate and highlights the challenges of governance and authority in Nigeria’s capital. President Tinubu’s timely intervention in the sealing dispute is seen by many as a strong assertion of his leadership and control over his administration’s actions, particularly in managing ministers like Nyesom Wike.
