The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has disclosed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) failed to pay ground rent for its national secretariat property in Abuja for 28 years, accumulating a total debt of N7.6 million.
This was confirmed by the FCT Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwanwkoeze, during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, where he addressed controversies surrounding the revocation of the PDP secretariat land title.
The land revocation is part of a broader exercise undertaken by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, affecting 4,794 properties due to non-payment of ground rent.
Revocation of PDP Secretariat Land Title
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, issued a revocation notice on March 13, 2025, regarding Plot No. 243 in the Central Area, Abuja. The notice, titled:
“Notice of Revocation of Right of Occupancy with File No. MISC 81346”
officially withdrew PDP’s land title due to non-compliance with financial obligations.
PDP’s Response & Controversy
Following the revocation, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Deborah Ologunagba, released a statement condemning the action, arguing that the FCT Minister was targeting PDP properties. The statement specifically mentioned.
The revocation of the party’s national secretariat land title.
The revocation of another PDP property under construction.
However, Nwanwkoeze refuted these claims, clarifying that the FCT minister only revoked one PDP property—the one in the Central Area.
The Wadata Plaza property in Wuse Zone 5 (which PDP occupies as its headquarters) does not belong to the party.
The actual owner of Wadata Plaza is Samaila Maman Ofi, who purchased it from Wadata and legally registered the property.
The revocation notice for Wadata Plaza was served on its owner in Kaduna, not on PDP.
Financial Obligations & Legal Justification
The Central Area property, which belongs to PDP, has accumulated 28 years of unpaid ground rent (from 1998 to 2025), totaling N7,603,504.31.
The FCTA had repeatedly issued public notices urging defaulters to settle their debts since 2023, but PDP failed to comply.
Given the lack of payment, the minister exercised his legal authority to revoke the title, as has been done with thousands of other properties.
Wider Impact: Not Exclusive to PDP
Nwanwkoeze emphasized that PDP’s land revocation was not politically motivated.
The exercise affected 4,794 properties, including government institutions, private organizations, and individuals.
Some defaulters had failed to pay rent for over 40 years—with one property owing for 43 years, which is nearly half of its 99-year lease duration.
The FCTA’s goal is to enforce compliance with statutory financial obligations and ensure proper land administration in the FCT.
The revocation of PDP’s land title in the Central Area was part of a larger crackdown on property owners defaulting on ground rent payments. While PDP claims it is being targeted for political reasons, the FCTA maintains that the decision was purely administrative and in line with legal land policies.
The controversy continues as PDP seeks legal avenues to challenge the revocation, while the FCTA remains firm in its enforcement of land use regulations and financial compliance in the Federal Capital Territory.
