The Peoples Democratic Party has strongly criticised the revocation of the Right of Occupancy to its national secretariat property by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, describing it as an attempt to silence opposition parties and a threat to democracy.
Reacting to the development in a telephone interview with journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, condemned the action, stating that it was politically motivated and aimed at undermining democratic principles.
“Attempt by the All Progressives Congress-led government to revoke the Right of Occupancy of the National Secretariat of the PDP is highly condemnable. It is aimed at stifling opposition in this country and, of course, a drive towards totalitarianism, and it is a threat to democracy,” Ologunagba said.
He further revealed that the revocation affects both the party’s current secretariat at Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, and its uncompleted 11-storey permanent site at the Central Business District, Abuja.
“To let you know how despicable this action is, it is both properties. Both the new one under construction and the one the PDP has been occupying for almost two decades – the Wadata Plaza. It is an attempt to stifle opposition,” he added.
The FCTA, under the leadership of Minister Nyesom Wike, justified its decision, stating that the PDP had failed to pay the required ground rent on the property for 20 years.
The notice of revocation, dated March 13, 2025, was addressed to the PDP National Chairman and signed by the Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze. The letter cited the party’s prolonged failure to meet its financial obligations as the reason for the action.
“The revocation is in view of your continued contravention of the terms and conditions of grant of the Right of Occupancy by failing to pay the annual ground rents due on the property for twenty (20) years, from 1st of January 2006 to 1st of January 2025,” the letter stated.
Nwankwoeze further explained that the decision was taken in line with the provisions of the Land Use Act No. 6 of 1978, Cap. L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“This is despite the many publications made by the FCT Administration since 2023 in several national dailies and on electronic media requesting all allottees of plots in the FCT to pay up every outstanding bill and ground rent on their property.
“You would please note that the said breaches by PDP, national secretariat (MISC 81346) run contrary to the provisions of Section 28, Subsection 5 (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.
“I am to further inform you that the subject property (Plot No. 243 Central Area, Cadastral Zone A00, Abuja) has thus reverted to the FCTA and the Administration will take immediate possession thereof,” the letter stated.
The affected 11-storey building in the Central Business District was originally estimated to cost N16 billion but has remained uncompleted since construction began in 2008, despite multiple fundraising efforts by the party.
Several past PDP National Chairmen, including Prince Uche Secondus and Senator Iyorchia Ayu, had pledged to complete the project but failed to deliver. In January 2022, Ayu, during a tour of party facilities in Abuja, assured that the structure would be completed. However, this promise remained unfulfilled before his suspension from the party in 2023.
Ologunagba disclosed that the party’s National Working Committee was holding an emergency meeting to deliberate on the matter and would issue a detailed response in due course.
“The NWC is meeting now, and I will get back to you shortly with the detailed response of our party to this development,” he said.