Wike Revokes PDP’s National Secretariat Land Over 20-Year Ground Rent Debt

Abuja, NIGERIA — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked the land allocated to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its proposed national secretariat, citing a staggering two-decade-long failure to settle ground rent obligations.

The revocation was formally communicated 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 notice, issued by the FCT Administration, was signed by Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land Administration.

According to the document, the PDP failed to pay the annual ground rent on the property for 20 consecutive years—spanning from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2025. The FCTA stated that the party ignored repeated demands and reminders, which were published in several national newspapers and broadcast across various electronic media platforms, urging all landholders to settle outstanding rents or risk forfeiture.

The letter reads.
“I have been directed to refer to the above Right of Occupancy granted to PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP), NATIONAL SECRETARIAT, and inform you that the Minister of 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.

“The revocation is in view of your continued contravention of the terms and conditions of the grant of the right of occupancy by failing to pay the annual ground rents due on the property for twenty (20) years, from 1st of January 2006 to 1st of January 2025. This is despite the many publications made by the FCT Administration since 2023 in several national dailies and on electronic media requesting all allottees of plots in the Federal Capital Territory to pay up every outstanding bill and ground rent on their property.

“You would please note that the said breaches by PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP), NATIONAL SECRETARIAT (MISC 81346) run contrary to the provisions of Section 28, Subsection 5 (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.”

The notice added that the FCTA would take over the property.

This comes after FCTA announced the revocation of the total of 4,794 land titles in the nation’s capital.

The land, located at Plot 243 in the Central Business District of Abuja, was earmarked by the PDP as the site of its national secretariat—a symbol of its past dominance in Nigeria’s political landscape. The revocation marks a dramatic shift, underscoring the current administration’s emphasis on fiscal responsibility and legal compliance.

Though the PDP is yet to issue an official response, party insiders describe the move as politically motivated, pointing to Wike’s recent defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his increasingly visible role in national politics.

Legal and political analysts say the revocation could lead to a fierce legal battle, as the PDP may contest the action on grounds of procedural fairness or political persecution.

Meanwhile, the FCTA has reiterated its commitment to enforcing land-use regulations and recovering public revenue from allottees who have defaulted, regardless of their status or political affiliation.

As tensions rise, the development signals a deepening rift between Nigeria’s leading political factions, with implications that could reverberate far beyond land administration policies.

Recall that Wike served as the immediate past PDP governor in Rivers State before being appointed as minister by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Reacting, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the revocation as an “attempt to stifle opposition parties in the country”.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, stated this in a telephone interview with journalists on Tuesday, while reacting to the revocation of the development.

Mr Ologunagba described the action as “threat to democracy”.

He noted that the revocation was to both buildings, Wadata Plaza in Wuze Zone 5 where the party is presently using as its national secretariat, and the uncomplicated 11 storey building permanent site at the Central Business District of Abuja.

“Attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC) led government to revoke the Right of Occupancy of the National Secretariat of the PDP is highly condemnable.

“It is aimed at stifling opposition in this country and of course a drive towards totalitarianism, and it is a threat to democracy.

“The NWC is meeting now and I will get back to you shortly with the detailed response of our party to this development.

“To let you know how despicable this action is; it is both property. Both the new one under construction and the one the PDP has been occupying for almost two decades- the Wadata Plaza. It is an attempt to stifle opposition.”