Renowned media mogul and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dele Momodu, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for intervening in the controversial sealing of properties in Abuja over unpaid ground rent — a decision he says proves the President is firmly in charge of his administration.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under the leadership of Minister Nyesom Wike, had on Monday, May 26, sealed several high-profile properties in Abuja, including banks, fuel stations, the Federal Inland Revenue Service office, and notably, the PDP’s national secretariat. The enforcement was reportedly due to unpaid ground rents running into billions of naira.
However, following nationwide backlash from the public and affected property owners, President Tinubu ordered a temporary suspension of the enforcement action and granted a 14-day grace period for defaulters to settle their outstanding payments.
In a strongly worded statement via Instagram from the United States, Dele Momodu expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, calling his intervention a timely “checkmate” of Wike’s overreach.
“THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TINUBU,” Momodu began. “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 emphasized that while no one should support non-compliance with government obligations, actions perceived as politically motivated or vindictive should be avoided — particularly by those in positions of power.
He described Wike as “Nigeria’s most querulous politician” and accused him of becoming a liability to the Tinubu administration. “The decision to stop Wike today achieved several points in your favour,” Momodu said.
The PDP stalwart further criticized Wike’s perceived highhandedness in the Federal Capital Territory, likening his behavior to that of a leader who sees himself as unaccountable.
He also urged President Tinubu to extend his control over Wike’s controversial role in the ongoing political conflict in Rivers State, where Wike has been embroiled in a prolonged power tussle with Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“We used to think we have two presidents in Nigeria — TINUBU and WIKE,” Momodu stated. “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.”
Highlighting the current economic hardship across the nation, Momodu called on Tinubu to shield Nigerians from what he described as Wike’s “additional burden and insults,” comparing the FCT Minister’s conduct unfavorably with that of other cabinet members.
“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,” he wrote.
Momodu concluded with a final jab: “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 House of Representatives is expected to deliberate further on the implications of the President’s directive, as debates surrounding the role of the FCT Minister and the scope of his powers continue to stir national conversation.