FCTA to Seal PDP National HQ, Over 4,700 Other Properties Monday Over Unpaid Ground Rent

Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under the leadership of Minister Nyesom Wike, is set to commence the sealing of the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 4,793 other properties across Abuja this coming Monday, May 26, 2025. The FCTA insists the action is purely administrative, stemming from the alleged non-payment of ground rents spanning decades, with some debts reportedly going back as far as 43 years.

The properties, which also include those belonging to other high-profile entities such as INEC, CBN, and NNPC, had their land titles revoked in March 2025 due to a cumulative ground rent default exceeding N6.9 billion. This move follows the expiration of a 21-day grace period granted to defaulters owing less than 10 years of rent, which has since lapsed.

FCTA officials, including the Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, and the Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, confirmed the impending enforcement at a press briefing on Friday. They stated that ownership of these revoked properties has now reverted to the FCTA, and the administration will begin asserting its rights by sealing them off and restricting access from Monday.

According to the FCTA, the revocation is in line with Section 28(5)(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act, which empowers the government to reclaim land where terms of occupancy, such as ground rent payment, have been violated. They also clarified that there is no court injunction preventing the FCTA from proceeding with these enforcement actions.

However, the timing of this action, coming just days before a pivotal National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the PDP, has raised eyebrows and fueled speculation of political motivations. Minister Wike, while still a member of the PDP, openly supported the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general elections and currently serves in President Bola Tinubu’s APC-led cabinet. This has led many within the PDP to view the impending sealing of their secretariat as a calculated political blow.

The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, had previously described the revocation order as “highly condemnable” and aimed at “stifling opposition.” The party is expected to respond formally to the development on Monday, with indications of possible legal action or political resistance.

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The FCTA, however, maintains that the exercise will be carried out “without consideration as to ownership of the affected landed properties,” emphasizing that it is “purely in line with extant laws and regulations guiding the process.” The administration also revealed that even the Wadata Plaza, which houses the current PDP national secretariat, is not directly owned by the PDP but by a private individual who owes N2.84 million in ground rent from 1998 to 2025.

As Monday approaches, all eyes will be on Abuja to see how this high-stakes situation unfolds and what implications it holds for the political landscape.