The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has revoked the land of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) national secretariat in Abuja over non-payment of ground rent for 20 years.
In a letter dated March 13, 2025, the FCT Administration formally withdrew the party’s right to the property, citing its failure to settle outstanding financial obligations despite multiple warnings.
The letter, titled “Notice of Right of Occupancy with File No: MISC 81346 in Respect of Plot No: 243 within Central Area District, Abuja”, was signed by the Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze.
PDP Owed 20 Years of Ground Rent
According to the notice, the PDP has not paid the required ground rent from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2025. Wike’s decision to revoke the land was based on the powers granted to him under the Land Use Act No. 6 of 1978, Cap. L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“I have been directed to refer to the above Right of Occupancy granted to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and inform you that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory has, in the exercise of his powers, revoked your rights, interests, and privileges over Plot No. 243 within Central Area, Cadastral Zone A00, Abuja,” the notice read.
The letter also stated that the PDP repeatedly ignored multiple publications and public notices issued by the FCT Administration since 2023, urging all landowners to clear outstanding dues.
“You would please note that the said breaches by the PDP run contrary to the provisions of Section 28, Subsection 5 (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act,” it added.
Also Read:
- Seyi Tinubu Calls His Father Nigeria’s Greatest President
- Rivers State Gov’t Warns of Gloomy Future Due to Political Crisis
FCTA Takes Over PDP Secretariat
As a result of the revocation, the FCT Administration has taken immediate possession of the property. The PDP will not be able to use the land until all outstanding bills are settled.
Wike’s move is part of a broader effort to enforce land regulations and recover billions of naira in unpaid fees owed by property owners in the capital city.
Mass Revocation of Land Titles
The PDP is not the only entity affected by the government’s crackdown. Wike previously revoked 4,794 land titles in the FCT over non-payment of ground rent. The outstanding debt from defaulters is estimated at nearly ₦7 billion, accumulated over more than 40 years.
A statement issued by Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, revealed that 8,375 property owners in key areas such as Central Area, Garki, Wuse, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape had failed to pay ground rent for up to 43 years.
“The total amount owed is ₦6,967,980,119, and 4,794 land titles are in default of ground rent payment for 10 years and above,” Olayinka said.
FCT Administration Warns Landowners
The FCTA stressed that ground rent payments are backed by law and are due annually on January 1. The administration had published multiple notices in national newspapers and broadcast media since 2023, but many landowners ignored them.
“It should be noted that the FCTA made numerous publications in national newspapers and announcements on broadcast media since 2023, calling on defaulters to pay up all outstanding bills and ground rents. All these yielded little response, as several allottees failed to pay,” Olayinka stated.
He also warned that more land revocations would follow if property owners continued to default.