We Used to Think We Had Two Presidents in Nigeria – You and Wike: Dele Momodu to Tinubu on Ground Rent Crackdown Intervention

Publisher and media personality Dele Momodu has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for intervening in the controversial sealing of several properties in Abuja by the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) over unpaid ground rent. The enforcement, which took place on Monday, May 26, was carried out under the direction of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and affected a range of business premises including banks, fuel stations, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and notably, the national secretariat of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Following widespread public criticism and concerns over political bias, President Tinubu stepped in to halt the sealing exercise. He also gave property owners a 14-day window to comply with their payment obligations. The President’s move was widely seen as a strategic decision to de-escalate tensions and project balance in governance.

Reacting to the development, Dele Momodu took to Instagram from the United States, issuing a strongly worded message praising the President’s intervention and criticizing Minister Wike’s approach to governance. In his statement, Momodu said:

“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. 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 favor.

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.

Nigerians are currently going through so much hardship and pain and you need to rescue them from WIKE’s additional burden and insults. 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.

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…”