*For failing to meet financial obligations on property
By Folorunso Alagbede, in Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has withdrawn the land rights of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) national secretariat in Abuja due to non-payment of statutory fees.
This followed his revocation of the Right of Occupancy (R of O) of the land situated in the high brow Central Business District, CBD, in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
This decision was communicated in an official letter dated March 13, 2025, titled “Notice of Right of Occupancy with File No: MISC 81346 in Respect of Plot No: 243 within Central Area District, Abuja.”
The document, issued on Tuesday, was signed by Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land Administration in the FCT.
According to the notice, the PDP had failed to meet its financial obligations on the property for two decades, spanning from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2025. Despite multiple reminders through national newspapers and electronic media, the party did not clear the outstanding ground rent.
“Under the powers conferred by the Land Use Act No. 6 of 1978, Cap. L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, the Minister of the FCT has revoked the rights, privileges, and interests of the PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP), NATIONAL SECRETARIAT over Plot No. 243 within Central Area, Cadastral Zone A00, Abuja”, the letter said.
The revocation was justified under Section 28, Subsection 5 (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act, citing violations of the terms governing the land allocation.
Wike further directed that the FCT Administration take possession of the property immediately, pending the full settlement of all outstanding dues.
