The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked the land allocated to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat in Abuja due to the party’s failure to settle its annual ground rent for 20 years.
Wike issued the revocation notice in a 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 letter, signed by Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land Administration (FCT), was sent to the PDP on Tuesday.
According to the letter, the opposition party had defaulted on payments from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2025, despite repeated warnings through national newspapers and electronic media urging property owners in Abuja to clear their outstanding bills.
The letter stated:
“The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory has, in the exercise of powers conferred on him under the Land Use Act No. 6 of 1978, Cap. L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, revoked your rights, interests, and privileges over Plot No. 243 within Central Area, Cadastral Zone A00, Abuja.”
It further explained that the revocation was necessary due to “continued contravention of the terms and conditions of the Right of Occupancy.”
The letter cited Section 28, Subsection 5 (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act, which allows the FCT Administration to reclaim land from allottees who fail to meet the financial obligations tied to their properties.
The FCT Administration had repeatedly issued public notices since 2023, urging landowners with outstanding payments to clear their debts or face revocation.
However, the PDP failed to comply, leading to the loss of its national secretariat land.
This move has sparked political controversy, as Wike— a former PDP governor of Rivers State— is now a minister in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government.
Many observers see this action as part of ongoing political tensions between Wike and his former party, the PDP.
The PDP is yet to officially respond to the revocation. However, the development raises questions about the future of the party’s headquarters in Abuja and its legal options moving forward.
