Less than 24 hours to the much-anticipated National Executive Committee meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party, the Federal Capital Territory Administration on Monday sealed the party’s national secretariat in Abuja over ground rent default.
The enforcement, led by senior FCTA officials, took place at about 2:06pm at the Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, amid escalating internal crisis within the PDP and political tension involving FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who is widely perceived as a key actor in the party’s leadership dispute.
Wike, a PDP member, has been accused of working against the party’s interest and is pushing for his ally, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, to be recognised as the party’s national secretary.
His reported withdrawal from a peace process on Sunday has fuelled suspicions that the sealing was politically motivated.
Speaking after locking the premises, the FCT Minister’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, dismissed political undertones, stating that the action was part of a wider enforcement across the city targeting rent defaulters, including banks, hotels, and other private entities.
“This isn’t about politics. We’ve sealed Ibro Hotels, Access Bank, FIRS, and Total. Are those political too?” Olayinka asked.
Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land Administration, disclosed that the revocation notice was duly served to Senator Samaila Mamman Kofi, the original titleholder, and also pasted at the property since March 14, 2025.
However, critics questioned the timing of the action. Dr Abubakar Kari of the University of Abuja argued that while the law may be on the FCTA’s side, sealing the PDP secretariat on the eve of a major meeting raises political red flags.
“Whenever governance and politics mix, politics usually wins. The headquarters of the main opposition party is too significant to ignore,” Kari said.
Similarly, PDP chieftain, Mallam Umar Sani, alleged that the minister deliberately blocked the party’s attempts to settle the rent, accusing him of using his office to sabotage the party’s NEC.
“The total amount due is minimal—something even a secretariat staffer can pay. But Wike reportedly instructed that payment should not be accepted,” Sani claimed.
Despite the closure, the PDP said it remains undeterred and will proceed with the NEC meeting on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, amid public backlash over the enforcement exercise, the FCTA has announced a 14-day grace period for all property owners in the capital to settle outstanding ground rent or risk permanent revocation.
Under the new directive, properties in the Central Area face a N5 million penalty in addition to rent owed. Defaulters in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape must pay N3 million, while those in Wuse I, Garki I, and Garki II will pay N2 million.
The administration also urged property owners who have yet to perfect their title documents to regularise their ownership within the two-week window.
A member of the PDP NEC, Timothy Osadolor, described the incident as “a shameful act” by one of the party’s supposed beneficiaries, accusing Wike of political betrayal.
“What Wike has done is akin to a child exposing his father’s nakedness instead of covering him,” Osadolor said.
Political analyst Jide Ojo, however, blamed the PDP leadership for failing to act despite months of notice, saying the party should have prevented the embarrassment.
With the sealed building and mounting allegations, the incident has heightened internal strife within the PDP and fuelled concerns over the intersection of governance and political rivalry in the capital.
'
'
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
