The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the recent revocation of its permanent headquarters in the Central Business Area of Abuja. The PDP has described the move as part of a larger attempt to suppress opposition and undermine the nation’s democracy. The revocation order was issued by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, on March 13, 2025, following allegations of unpaid ground rent on the property.
In a letter dated March 13, 2025, the FCT Ministry informed the PDP of the revocation of its land rights in Abuja’s Central Business Area. The revocation was communicated in a letter titled “Notice of Right of Occupancy with File No: MISC 81346 in respect of Plot No. 243 within Central Area District, Abuja,” which was signed by Chijioke Nwankwoeze, the Director of Land Administration in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the letter, the revocation was due to the PDP’s failure to pay its annual ground rent for the plot from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2025. The PDP’s headquarters has been located in the Wadata Plaza in Abuja for nearly two decades. In addition to the permanent headquarters, the revocation also extends to the party’s temporary offices, including one that is currently under construction.
The revocation has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, as the PDP is one of the country’s two main political parties. The timing of the move, coming on the heels of recent political tensions, has raised concerns among political analysts about the government’s intentions.
The PDP has reacted strongly to the revocation order, with party officials condemning the action as part of a broader strategy to suppress opposition voices in Nigeria. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, labeled the move as “a drive towards totalitarianism,” accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government of attempting to silence dissent.
Ologunagba stated, “The attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC) 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. This is a threat to democracy.” He further emphasized that both the PDP’s new office under construction and the existing Wadata Plaza were affected by the revocation, calling it an alarming move to stifle political opposition.
The PDP spokesperson also noted that the party would be holding an emergency meeting with its National Working Committee (NWC) to deliberate on the matter and issue a more detailed response to the revocation. He stressed that the PDP would continue to advocate for the democratic rights of Nigerians and resist attempts to silence the opposition.
The FCT Ministry’s action against the PDP stems from claims that the opposition party has failed to pay the ground rent for its headquarters for nearly two decades. According to the notice issued by the FCT Ministry, the PDP has not remitted the required annual ground rents from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2025. This failure to make payments has led the FCT Ministry to revoke the party’s right of occupancy for the property.
While the government has not provided specifics on the total amount owed, this situation raises questions about the management of state land and the responsibility of political parties to meet their financial obligations. The PDP, however, has argued that the revocation is politically motivated and pointed out that the timing of the action, during a period of heightened political tensions, is not coincidental.
The PDP’s response to the revocation has been swift and forceful. Party leaders argue that the action by the FCT Ministry represents a broader attempt by the ruling government to intimidate the opposition. By targeting the PDP’s headquarters, which serves as a symbolic and practical base for the opposition party, the PDP claims that the government is undermining the principles of democracy in Nigeria.
The PDP has long been a vocal critic of the ruling APC, accusing the government of taking steps to suppress opposition parties and limit political freedoms. The revocation of the PDP’s right of occupancy is seen as just the latest in a series of moves designed to weaken the political opposition in the country.
Ologunagba’s statement was clear in its condemnation, emphasizing that the PDP would continue to fight for its rights and for the rights of all Nigerians who support the values of democracy. He urged Nigerians to recognize the gravity of the situation and to stand with the PDP in its fight to protect democratic freedoms.
The political landscape in Nigeria has been fraught with tensions, particularly between the ruling APC and the PDP. Since the APC took power in 2015, the two parties have been engaged in fierce competition for political dominance. The PDP, which had ruled Nigeria for 16 years under the leadership of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and Goodluck Jonathan, has faced significant challenges since its electoral defeat in 2015.
The APC’s victory in 2015 marked the first time in Nigerian history that an opposition party had successfully ousted an incumbent president. Since then, the PDP has struggled to regain political ground, and the relationship between the two parties has been marked by deep divisions and frequent accusations of misconduct.
The revocation of the PDP’s headquarters in Abuja is the latest chapter in this ongoing rivalry. Many political observers see the move as a reflection of the increasingly combative political environment in the country. The timing of the revocation—just as the PDP is preparing for future elections—has only intensified speculation about the motives behind the decision.
The FCT Ministry, under the leadership of Nyesom Wike, is responsible for managing land and property rights in the Federal Capital Territory. The Ministry’s decision to revoke the PDP’s land rights has drawn attention to the role of government agencies in regulating property ownership and lease agreements, especially when political actors are involved.
While it is within the Ministry’s rights to take action against property owners who fail to meet their obligations, the PDP has argued that the situation in this case is politically charged. The party’s leaders believe that the government is using its control over the FCT to target opposition forces, an accusation that has raised serious concerns about the independence of government institutions and the health of Nigeria’s democracy.
As the PDP’s NWC continues to meet over the matter, the party is expected to take legal action to challenge the revocation. The PDP may also seek to rally public support for its cause, particularly among those who believe that the government’s actions are part of a broader strategy to undermine democratic freedoms.
The party has vowed to stand firm in the face of these challenges and continue its work on behalf of the Nigerian people. For now, all eyes are on the PDP as it navigates the latest twist in Nigeria’s ongoing political drama.
