Secretariat: PDP decries continued closure despite Tinubu’s order

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) of deploying state machinery to cripple its operations, lamenting that its national secretariat remains sealed despite President Bola Tinubu’s 14-day window for all affected properties in Abuja to be reopened.

While other sealed properties in Wuse Zone 5, where the party secretariat is located—including Ibro Hotel and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) office—have reportedly been unsealed, the PDP’s national headquarters remains locked.

However, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, declared yesterday that he would not succumb to blackmail, while also hinting at plans to increase ground rent in the territory.

Recall that the affected properties were sealed by the FCTA on Monday, May 26, 2025, following alleged refusal of the owners to pay ground rent, with some arrears stretching back decades.

Sources within the PDP revealed that the party’s leadership has raised serious concerns over the development. Daniel Woyengikuro, the PDP National Financial Secretary, questioned why a less than N10 million debt had led to the seizure of a property worth N400 million, describing the action as disproportionate and politically motivated.

Woyengikuro further explained that the matter was currently in court, involving the FCTA and an individual, not the PDP directly. “The main PDP property, the one we’re building, is in court, and ordinarily, when a matter is in court, all parties are expected to wait till the court gives a judgement.

The issue is actually between the individual who sued and the FCTA, not the party,” he said. He also expressed frustration over the handling of the situation, stating, “If the PDP has paid, why is this happening? It’s all about political interference. It’s ridiculous.”

A private security guard stationed at the sealed building confirmed to Vanguard that officials from the Development Control Department sealed the premises on Monday and that despite the President’s directive, the building remained locked, with only police officers allowed entry.

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A staff member of PDP’s public relations unit, speaking anonymously, revealed that the sealing had severely disrupted the party’s operations. “It’s clear that this is politically motivated.

Despite the President’s instruction, if no action is taken, it suggests that the President may have indirectly endorsed the decision to keep the premises sealed,” the staff said, pointing out the selective nature of the sealing.

The PDP called for the immediate reopening of its secretariat, warning that continued sealing undermined democratic processes and fueled perceptions of political victimization.

Meanwhile, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, while inspecting ongoing projects in the territory, reiterated his firm stance on ground rent.

He described non-payment of ground rent as his greatest challenge since assuming office and asserted that the FCTA would not succumb to blackmail from elites who flout laws.

Wike emphasized that the FCT relies on taxes, not oil, to fund infrastructure, and criticized property owners for expecting facilities without fulfilling their financial obligations.

He warned that ground rent would eventually be increased and vowed that the administration would surmount the challenge of non-payment.

As the 14-day ultimatum progresses, all eyes remain on whether the party’s demands will be addressed or if the standoff will escalate further.

The PDP has vowed to continue its operations from its temporary base at the Legacy House, its presidential campaign office, but the sealing of its main secretariat has undoubtedly hindered its ability to function at full capacity.