Despite Tinubu’s Directives, FCTA Refuses To Unseal PDP National Secretariat

More than 24 hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed that properties sealed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) over unpaid ground rent be reopened, the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja remains under lock and key.

On Monday, FCT officials had embarked on a mass sealing of defaulting properties, sparking outrage. President Tinubu swiftly intervened by granting a 14-day grace period for property owners to settle their dues with an N2 million penalty and to regularise their documents.

Yet, as of 10:15am on Wednesday, Daily Trust reports that the PDP’s national secretariat in Wuse Zone 5 was still sealed.

A visit to the site revealed the gate padlocked, with an FCTA seal pasted beside it. Some staff members were seen sitting outside, while others lingered nearby, expressing frustration over the situation. One of the employees, who spoke anonymously, suspected political undertones in the lingering closure.

“I was here yesterday when they unsealed other places like FIRS, Ibro Hotel, and NAPTIP, but when they got to our office, they suddenly left,” the staff member claimed. “I followed them to their office and the director of Lands told me they were waiting for instructions from AGIS before touching PDP.”

Since the secretariat’s sealing on Monday, the PDP has condemned the move. Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum described it as “the height of irresponsibility” and accused the government of trying to weaken democracy. He declared the party’s readiness to resist what it views as intimidation.

Meanwhile, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who has had a longstanding face-off with the PDP, remains at the centre of the controversy.

The PDP is yet to issue an official statement regarding the continued closure of its secretariat.