I’ll Touch Rich Tax Defaulters, Heaven Won’t Fall
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that there will be no leniency for tax defaulters in Abuja, affirming his determination to pursue those who fail to pay their dues, regardless of their social or political status.
He said he will touch rich tax defaulters, and heaven won’t fall.
On Monday, May 26, 2025, the Federal Capital Territory Administration task force sealed many premises, including the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, over non-payment of ground rent.
The action sparked outrage within the PDP, with its acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, labelling it an act of irresponsibility by the Federal Government.
Wike, who said those considered as the ‘untouchables’ in Abuja would not be spared as long as they choose to go against the law, spoke on the campus of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Thursday while delivering the 2025 Distinguished Personality Lecture of the institution.
Speaking on the topic: ‘Nigeria of our dreams’, the ex-Rivers State Governor said leadership requires courage to take decisions that would engender development without fear.
“Leadership is not about you liking someone, it is about you being courageous to make a decision that will help us to move forward.
“I am not the first Minister of FCT, no poor man lives in Maitama, Asokoro, all are rich men. No poor man does business in Central Business Area. They say they are untouchable, I say No!
“I will touch you, if the right thing is not done. That is leadership, they didn’t appoint me as minister for a beauty contest. Mention one poor man who has a house in Maitama, all are rich men, they don’t want to pay tax, you will pay it. You will pay, if you don’t pay, I will touch you and heaven will not fall, but rather be at peace,” Wike said.
Touching on how poor quality leadership has slowed down the progress of the country, Wike said Nigeria as at different times, ended up with leaders who were not prepared for leadership positions.
He added, “Indeed, some of these leaders were ab initio, even reluctant to take on the mantle of leadership. Accordingly, Nigeria has substantially been infested with leaders without preparation, knowledge, courage, patriotism and character.
“Little wonder our country has spent too much time groping in the dark and fiddling with common nuggets of development such as basic infrastructure, primary healthcare, efficient democratic and judicial systems, and a functional economy.”
On the kind of leadership that Nigeria needs, the FCT Minister said, “A leader of our dreams must be one who is prepared to lead; one who has shown character and resilience in the face of challenges. He must be that person who believes in the infinite possibilities that the Nigerian nation exemplifies while taking solid, proactive, logical and well-informed decisions that would maximally actualise her potential.
“This leader must have the courage and audacity to act, build, innovate and generally expand the frontiers of development with a hands-on approach that would emphasise excellence over mediocrity.
“Perhaps, more importantly, the leader of our dreams must create a society of free and responsible citizens whose potentials flow freely and free enterprise thrives.”
Emphasising the importance of quality leadership to the nation building, Wike referenced Yasar Jarrar, in his book, “The Sheikh CEO,” where he said the development of Dubai is fundamentally traceable to the great leadership provided by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the present leader of Dubai and his forebears.
He said through vision, resilience and discipline, they transformed Dubai, an otherwise desert patch, into one of the most enchanting hubs for trade, commerce and leisure.
He subsequently declared that President Bola Tinubu has the qualities needed and has at different times demonstrated a stout commitment to the enthronement of democracy in the country.
He said, “He (Tinubu) has shown great capacity for engendering development as captured in the unprecedently rapid and exponential development of Lagos state under his watch and even beyond.
“On his first day, upon being sworn in as President, he demonstrated rare courage by removing the hydra-headed fuel subsidy that was impoverishing generations of Nigerians and binding them into avoidable and perennial debt.
“Leaders before him all spoke about the evil of fuel subsidy, but none had the courage to dare the blackmail of removing it. Tinubu did and is fittingly grappling with the inevitable, unintended and sometimes orchestrated consequences of this removal.
“Today, our states have far more resources to develop, the debts are no longer piling, and the price of petrol is gradually but steadily adjusting downwards in tandem with the forces of demand and supply and the strict implementation of regulatory conditionalities.”
Earlier in their separate remarks, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the OAU Vice Chancellor, Simeon Bamire, lauded Wike’s contributions to the nation’s development through the different public offices he has occupied.
