Wike seals PDP national headquarters over unpaid ground rent

The national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), located in the Wuse district of Abuja, was sealed off on Monday at about 2:05 p.m. by officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

FCTA enforcement officers arrived at the premises and instructed the security personnel on duty to alert the appropriate authorities within the party.

The action follows the March directive by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who approved the revocation of 4,794 land titles due to non-payment of ground rent spanning over four decades.

Among the institutions listed in the revocation notice were the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and the PDP. Other affected entities include CONOIL Plc, Borno State Government, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), National Universities Commission (NUC), MRS Investment Company Ltd (owners of MRS petrol stations), and Kaduna State Government.

Also on the list were the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, University of Calabar, Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), and the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

Minister Wike had previously stated that ownership of the revoked properties in key districts—including Central Area, Garki, Wuse, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape—had reverted to the FCTA. He emphasized that the government would begin to exercise full rights over the affected properties, regardless of their previous owners.

“Ownership of the revoked 4,794 properties… has already reverted to the FCTA, and starting Monday, the government will begin to exercise its rights of ownership. This will be done strictly in accordance with existing laws and regulations—regardless of who the previous owners were,” Wike declared.