“You Pay in London, But Not in Abuja? — Wike Slams Wealthy Tax Evaders”

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a bold swipe at Abuja’s wealthy residents, blaming them for poor tax compliance that hinders development in the capital.

Wike made the remarks on Thursday during the official commissioning of the newly completed Collector Road CN2—also known as Zakari A. Kyari Street—by President Bola Tinubu, represented by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu. The event was part of the celebration of Tinubu’s second year in office.

The CN2 road stretches from Arterial Road N11 (Ahmadu Bello Way) in Mabushi to the Judges’ Quarters in Katampe District. According to Wike, the road, like many others in the FCT, was funded entirely from taxes and ground rent paid by compliant residents.

However, he expressed dismay that many of Abuja’s elite continue to evade their civic duties.

“People complain that we seal off their properties, but this is the result of paying ground rent,” Wike said. “You enjoy this infrastructure, but you don’t want to pay for it. That can’t continue.”

He criticized affluent residents who freely pay taxes and fees abroad but fail to do so in their own country.

“These same people who refuse to pay here don’t hesitate to pay in London or America,” he said, warning that the FCT has no other substantial source of funding aside from taxes.

Highlighting the FCT’s financial limitations, Wike noted that Abuja receives just 1% of the federal allocation.

“If the Federal Government gets N800 billion, Abuja gets N8 billion. That’s not even enough to pay salaries, which now cost over N13 billion monthly,” he explained.

He stressed that without adequate tax revenue, infrastructure development in the city is unsustainable.

“This isn’t political. Whether you’re in party A, B, or C, if you’re rich and own land here, pay your dues,” he said. “If not, we’ll publish your name in the papers. It’s not about embarrassment—it’s about accountability.”

Wike pointed out that no poor individual could afford to own property in upscale districts like Katampe or Mabushi, stating clearly that only wealthy Nigerians build in those areas.

“Let’s be honest—no poor person builds in these locations. These are multimillion-naira properties. You have to pay your dues,” he said emphatically.

He urged President Tinubu to personally address residents on the importance of tax compliance to support the administration’s development goals.

Earlier at the event, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mr. Richard Dauda, stated that the project was handled by CGC and began in October 2024. He said the CN2 road is a dual carriageway, while connecting roads are single lanes designed to boost development in the Katampe area.

“This infrastructure opens up Katampe District and provides vital connectivity for future growth,” Dauda added.