The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for sealing its national secretariat in Abuja over unpaid ground rent.
The action, carried out by the FCTA task force on Monday, affected several properties including the PDP’s Wadata Plaza in Wuse Zone 5. The FCTA claimed the property owed 28 years in rent and lacked proper ownership documentation.
Reacting, PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, described the move as “irresponsible” and accused the Federal Government of targeting opposition voices. He warned that the party would not take the matter lightly.
An anonymous PDP official admitted that the party was in arrears but said efforts to pay had been delayed due to missing documents, preventing official recognition of the property’s ownership.
FCT officials, however, insisted the exercise was non-political. They noted that other properties, including those belonging to a commercial bank, the FIRS, and NAPTIP, were also affected due to rent defaults ranging from 10 to 43 years.
Following backlash, President Bola Tinubu stepped in, granting a 14-day grace period for affected property holders to settle their outstanding debts and penalties or risk permanent revocation of their titles.
Penalties range from ₦2 million to ₦5 million depending on the property’s location, in addition to the owed rent. The FCTA also warned individuals and organisations who had acquired properties without proper documentation to regularise their ownership within the two-week window.
The PDP was forced to move its scheduled caucus meeting to another venue due to the closure. The party has vowed to challenge the action.
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