The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, has sealed the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP National Secretariat Abuja’s Wuse Zone 5.
The development comes after the FCTA had accused PDP of unpaid ground rent spanning over 25 years.
The shutdown of PDP’s National secretariat which took place on May 26, 2025, at about 2:05 PM, is said to be part of a broader crackdown on 4,794 properties in the FCT for alleged non-payment of ground rent, some dating back as far as 43 years.
The latest FCTA action also follows an earlier revocation of the PDP’s land title for its Wadata Plaza headquarters in March 2025.
The FCTA had explained that the revocation was prompted by the party’s alleged failure to settle ground rent arrears amounting to N7.6 million for its property in the Central Area.
The FCTA added that despite repeated notices since 2023 and a 21-day grace period, the PDP, along with other defaulters, failed to comply with payment obligations.
The administration citing Section 28 of the Land Use Act, stated that the revocation and sealing target titleholders who have defaulted for periods ranging from 10 to 43 years, emphasizing that the action is strictly lawful and not selective.
Apart from PDP’s National secretariat, the officials of the FCTA also sealed off an Access Bank branch and a Total petrol station located in Wuse, Abuja.
Also, the FCTA sealed the premises of the Federal Internal Revenue Service (FIRS) in Wuse.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the decision for the FCTA to seal off PDP’s national secretariat comes barely 24 hours after Wike announced he had withdrawn from all reconciliation efforts within the PDP.
In a strongly worded statement released on Sunday, May 25, 2025, Wike said his decision was prompted by what he described as persistent dishonesty and betrayal among party stakeholders.
He also pointed accusing fingers at Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, as the alleged mastermind behind the party’s internal strife.
Wike, a former Rivers State governor and influential PDP figure, accused Makinde of allegedly undermining reconciliation agreements, particularly highlighting Makinde’s alleged role in violating a “gentleman’s agreement” reached during a meeting at former Senate President Bukola Saraki’s guest house.
Wike said: “I have been in this party since 1998 and have worked tirelessly for the survival of this party with all my strength and it is on record that none of these persons have done anything close to what I have done to sustain this party.
“What is more painful is that I contributed substantially to most of these governors winning their elections, yet I have not made any personal demands on any of them and I would never do so.
“Most importantly, I had thought that we could keep the trust amongst us, but since it is now obvious that they would continue to play games to the detriment of the party, as is the case in the current debacle in the north-central zonal elections.
“I have now firmly decided to pull out of all agreements hitherto reached. I have decided to fight on until justice is attained.”
