The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Monday sealed Wadata Plaza, the building housing the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), over the party’s failure to pay ground rent for 28 years.
Despite being a PDP member, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, sanctioned the enforcement.
FCTA officials had earlier sealed the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) office in Wuse Zone 5 for failing to pay ground rent for 25 years. Although the FIRS disputed the action, claiming it had settled all outstanding dues up to 2023, the Administration challenged the agency to present proof of payment. FCTA officials said official records reflect different ownership, indicating the FIRS may not have registered the Power of Attorney and Deed of Assignment with the Lands Department after purchasing the property.
Other affected properties included an Access Bank branch and a Total petrol station in the Wuse District, sealed for owing 34 and over 10 years of ground rent, respectively. Ibro Hotel was also sealed for a 26-year default.
In March, the FCTA revoked 4,794 property titles over unpaid ground rent ranging from 10 to 43 years. Those owing for less than 10 years were given a 21-day grace period to pay or face similar sanctions. As of last Friday, the administration was reconciling payments to determine compliance within the grace period. It had, however, announced it would begin taking possession of the revoked properties starting Monday.
The Access Bank property was officially allocated to Rana Tahir Furniture Nigeria Limited, not the bank itself.
Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, said the enforcement was part of the administration’s mandate.
“Today is about walking the talk. We announced this earlier and are here to implement it, starting with this plot (Total Filling Station),” he stated.
According to Galadima, the filling station’s title was revoked in March 2025 following more than a year of notices.
He added that enforcement would extend to other parts of the city, including the Central Area, urging all defaulters to clear their liabilities to avoid clampdowns.
The Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, explained that although Access Bank occupied the property, its title belonged to a private firm, which had defaulted for 34 years. He reiterated that the FIRS property was sealed for a 25-year debt.
“This marks the beginning of repossession of over 4,794 properties. The affected plots have reverted to government ownership and occupants must vacate or resolve the matter officially,” he said.
In a letter dated March 13, 2025, the FCTA notified Senator Samaila Mamman Kurfi, the owner of the PDP secretariat property, of its decision to revoke his title.
The letter, signed by Nwankwoeze, stated:
“I have been directed to inform you that the Minister of the FCT has, under the Land Use Act, revoked your rights over Plot No. 1970, Wuse 1, Cadastral Zone A02, Abuja, due to non-payment of annual ground rent from January 1, 1998, to January 1, 2025.”
The letter cited violations of Section 28, Subsection 5 (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.
Speaking at the premises, Nwankwoeze emphasized that the FCTA deals with property owners, not occupants. He confirmed that Kurfi was duly notified, with a copy of the revocation letter served at his Kaduna address and also pasted on the building’s gate.
“We’re here to take physical possession of the property that has already been revoked. The PDP is a tenant. Our legal relationship is with the owner,” he said.
Responding to suggestions that the move might be politically motivated, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, dismissed the claims.
“This isn’t political. We’ve sealed Ibro Hotel, Access Bank, FIRS, and Total petrol station. Are those political too? Also, this building isn’t owned by the PDP,” he said.
Nwankwoeze reiterated the administration’s strict record-keeping practices and challenged the FIRS to present official receipts if it claims to have paid.
“When you pay ground rent, you receive an official receipt. Let them present that. The FIRS is occupying a property owned by Fortunate Case Limited, according to our records. If they acquired it, they failed to register their interest properly,” he said.
He concluded that the properties had legally reverted to the FCTA in March and that possession was only now being taken.
Regarding next steps, Nwankwoeze said:
“If the owners wish to seek clemency, they may approach the Honorable Minister. It’s now the Minister’s discretion to consider their request. As of today, the FCTA is the legal owner.”
