Wike Revokes PDP’s Abuja Headquarters Land Over Unpaid Dues

In the crackdown on land defaulters, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has revoked the occupancy rights of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat in Abuja.

The decision, communicated in a letter dated March 13, was addressed to PDP National Chairman, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, by the FCT Administration’s Director of Land Administration. The letter cited “non-payment” of ground rent as the reason for the revocation.

Ground rent is an annual fee required from landowners for the right to occupy and use their property. According to the letter, the PDP failed to pay its dues from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2025—a staggering 19 years of arrears.

Despite repeated public notices from the FCT Administration since 2023, urging landowners to settle outstanding payments, the party reportedly did not comply.

Citing Section 28, Subsection 5 (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act, the FCT Administration stated that the PDP’s failure to meet its financial obligations resulted in an automatic reversion of the land to the government.

“The subject property—Plot No. 243 Central Area, Cadastral Zone A00, Abuja—has thus reverted to the Federal Capital Territory Administration, and the Administration will take immediate possession thereof,” the letter read.

The PDP is not alone in this wave of revocations. On Monday, Lere Olayinka, Wike’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, revealed that the minister had revoked 4,794 land titles over unpaid ground rents.

According to Olayinka, a shocking 8,375 property owners in key districts—including Central Area, Garki, Wuse, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape—have failed to pay ground rent for up to 43 years.

“All attempts to make defaulters settle outstanding bills and ground rents yielded little response,” he stated, confirming that letters had already been sent to affected property owners.

With the PDP’s headquarters now among the revoked properties, speculation is rife about the political implications of this decision. However, the FCT Administration insists that the action is strictly based on non-compliance with financial obligations.

“A total of 4,794 land titles were revoked over failure to pay ground rent for 10 to 43 years. If PDP and any other organizations are among them, so be it,” Olayinka asserted.