BREAKING: FCTA takes over PDP secretariat land, 4,793 properties for ground rent default

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will, from Monday next week, begin to take possession of the 4,794 properties revoked over non-payment of Ground Rent, for between 10 and 43 years.

Among the affected properties is the land housing the permanent headquarters of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, which was earlier revoked in March for prolonged default.

This development was disclosed at a press briefing on Friday by top FCTA officials, including the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka; Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze; and Director of the Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima.

They stated that the affected properties, located in Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape, have reverted to the FCTA. Beginning Monday, the administration will commence actions to reclaim and secure the properties, in line with existing laws and regulations, regardless of prior ownership.

The Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, confirmed that the properties would be sealed and access restricted. He added that the administration would later decide on the appropriate use or redevelopment of the properties.

Responding to claims that some individuals had taken legal action against the revocation, Nwankwoeze clarified that no court ruling currently restricts the FCTA from enforcing the revocation orders.

He also disclosed that the FCTA is finalizing a separate list of property owners who have defaulted on ground rent payments for periods between one and ten years. These individuals were granted a 21-day grace period to settle their debts or face similar consequences. Once the compliance review is complete, further action will be taken.

Back in March 2025, the FCTA announced the revocation of 4,794 land titles in Abuja’s oldest districts after compiling a list of 8,375 defaulting property owners. The total outstanding ground rent at the time was approximately ₦6.97 billion.

The administration noted that the failure to pay ground rent violates the terms and conditions of the Right of Occupancy, as provided under Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act. The revoked titles are primarily located in key districts of Abuja and involve properties that have remained in default for more than a decade.

The FCTA reiterated that the payment of ground rent is a legal obligation, due on the first day of January each year, and failure to comply attracts strict penalties, including revocation. The enforcement process beginning on May 26 will be carried out by relevant government agencies in accordance with the law.