The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) national headquarters in Abuja remains sealed despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to unseal properties that were locked due to unpaid ground rent. More than 24 hours after the President’s order, the main opposition party’s office is still under lock and key.
On Monday, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) began sealing numerous properties in Abuja, including the PDP headquarters at Wuse Zone 5, triggering strong reactions from the affected parties and the public.
President Tinubu later stepped in, instructing that the properties be unsealed while giving defaulters a 14-day grace period to pay their outstanding ground rent, along with a penalty of N2 million. He also noted that property owners should update all land titles before the deadline.
According to reports, PDP HQ gate on Wednesday morning was still locked and secured with a seal from the FCTA. Some PDP staff members were seen sitting outside the compound or walking around, expressing frustration at the situation.
A staff member, who preferred to remain anonymous, told Daily Trust that there seems to be a hidden order preventing the reopening of the building.
“I was here yesterday when the FCTA team came around. They had already unsealed places like FIRS, Ibro Hotel, and NAPTIP. When they reached our office, they quickly left,” the source said. He added that he followed the FCTA officials to their office and spoke with the director of Lands, who said they were still waiting for further instructions from the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) to unseal the PDP office.
Following the initial sealing of their headquarters, Umar Damagum, the Acting National Chairman of PDP, strongly condemned the FCTA’s action, calling it “the highest irresponsibility” from the government. “In fact, if they want to arrest all of us, we are ready for that,” Damagum declared.
He also said the party would not tolerate such moves, which he described as attempts to undermine democracy. “They are trying to mar democracy, and this is not acceptable. We condemn it and assure them they will have to contend,” he added.
