In light of the prevailing economic difficulties in the country, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to extend the deadline for landowners in Maitama, Abuja, to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy (CfO).
The appeal pertains to the 762 plots of land whose allocation was recently revoked, with an initial two-week grace period granted to the affected individuals and groups. The deadline, set to expire today, January 3, 2025, has been deemed insufficient by the CNPP, given the financial strain many Nigerians are currently enduring.
In a statement issued in Kaduna by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, James Ezema, the CNPP urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to consider the economic challenges and extend the grace period as a compassionate gesture.
“We are appealing to the Minister and the FCTA to temper justice with mercy and issue an extension in the spirit of the yuletide and in view of the economic challenges in the country,” Ezema stated.
The CNPP emphasized that the extension would enable the affected landowners to comply with the directive without undue hardship, averting potential losses.
“We pray that the Minister and the FCTA will grant the allottees an extension to comply with the directive, giving all the affected individuals and groups enough time to have themselves to blame at the end of the final extension,” Ezema added.
This appeal follows the CNPP’s recent expression of concern over the worsening hunger and hardship faced by millions of Nigerians due to the nation’s economic challenges. The group has consistently called on the government to adopt more compassionate policies to alleviate the suffering of citizens.
The fate of the affected landowners now rests on the response of the FCT administration to this plea for an extended timeline.
