Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) officials sealed the National Headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday. They shut the gate of Wadata Plaza in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, at exactly 2:06 p.m.
The action followed the administration’s announcement to reclaim over 4,700 plots due to unpaid ground rent. The debts date back between 10 and 43 years. The affected PDP property is one of many facing action by the FCTA.
The sealed PDP secretariat halted an important meeting of the party’s Board of Trustees (BOT). Party leaders were locked out and forced to reschedule.
PDP Caucus Relocates as Crisis Deepens
The PDP urgently moved its crucial caucus meeting to the Bauchi State Government Lodge in Abuja. Top party figures, including former presidents, governors, National Assembly members, and BOT members, are attending.
The meeting, originally set for 7:00 p.m., was rescheduled following the FCTA’s clampdown. According to party insiders, the sealing of Wadata Plaza and the upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting are being discussed behind closed doors.
A party official said, “This is a big blow to our planned activities this week, and members are not taking it lightly.”
Access Bank Branch and Total Station Also Sealed
The FCTA also sealed off an Access Bank branch and a Total petrol station in Wuse. The closures followed non-payment of ground rent for 34 years.
According to a government letter dated March 13, 2025, the land at Plot No. 2456, Wuse I, was officially allocated to Rana Tahir Furniture Nigeria Limited—not Access Bank. The letter explained the revocation clearly:
“The Minister of Federal Capital Territory has in the exercise of powers conferred on him under the Land Use Act No. 6 of 1978… revoked your rights, interests and privileges over Plot No. 2456 within Wuse I.”
The ministry cited long-standing debt as the reason:
“You failed to pay the annual ground rents due on the property for Thirty Four (34) years.”
FCTA stated that several warnings were sent in 2023, urging defaulting property owners to settle their debts.
Wike’s administration is cracking down on 8,375 property owners in Abuja who owe ₦6.97 billion in ground rent. Prime areas like Maitama, Asokoro, Garki, and Wuse are affected.
President Tinubu Intervenes, Halt Revocation
However, President Bola Tinubu has intervened in the ongoing sealing of properties granting a 14-day grace period for defaulters to settle their outstanding obligations and regularise their documents.
This announcement was made by Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, the Director of Land Administration in the FCT, during a briefing held in Abuja on Monday night. He stated, “On May 26, 2025, enforcement began on 4,794 properties revoked for non-payment of ground rent spanning 10 to 43 years.”
Nwankwoeze further explained that “Properties affected include those owned by government institutions, corporate organisations, and individuals. This enforcement reflects the FCT Administration’s commitment to executing its duties without fear or favour.”
However, he noted that “by the intervention of President His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, holders of the affected properties have been granted 14 days (two weeks) to settle the outstanding ground rents, including applicable penalties.”
Regarding specific penalties, Nwankwoeze detailed that “For properties in the Central Area, defaulters are required to pay a penalty of ₦5 million in addition to the ground rent owed.”
He also stated, “Those in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape districts will pay ₦3 million as penalty alongside their ground rent arrears,” and “Defaulters in Wuse I, Garki I, and Garki II will pay a penalty of ₦2 million in addition to the outstanding ground rent.”
In addition to ground rent, Nwankwoeze announced, “all individuals who purchased properties from others but have yet to register their interests by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment have 14 days to do so at the FCT Department of Land Administration.”
Furthermore, “the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, has also granted a 14-day grace period to all property holders in the FCT to pay their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills, or risk revocation of their titles.”
Looking ahead, “the Minister advises all property owners in the FCT to ensure timely payment of all relevant bills and charges to enable the government to continue implementing vital development projects for the benefit of the people.”
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