The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has sealed off Wadata Plaza in Abuja, the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), over a 28-year-old ground rent debt.
According to the FCTA’s Director of Lands, Mr. Chijoke Nwankwoeze, the action followed the revocation of the property’s title due to the owner’s failure to pay ground rent for nearly three decades. The building, located on Plot 1970, Michael Okpara Street, Wuse Zone 5, is owned by Senator Samaila Kofi, who was served a revocation notice on March 14 at his registered address in Kaduna.
“The PDP building is among 4,794 properties whose titles were revoked in March over unpaid rent worth more than N6 billion,” Nwankwoeze said. “So far, we have sealed six such properties and will continue the exercise.”
He clarified that the PDP was not directly contacted because the FCTA only deals with registered landowners, not tenants.
Speaking on the development, the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka, stressed that the move was not politically motivated.
“This is a lawful enforcement action based on the Land Use Act. It has nothing to do with politics,” Olayinka said.
Wadata Plaza has been the PDP’s operational base since the party’s formation in 1998. The sealing of its secretariat comes as the party continues to rebuild its structures after recent election losses.
