The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked the land allocation granted to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its national secretariat in Abuja. The decision was conveyed through a formal notice dated March 13, 2025, and signed by Chijioke Nwankwoeze, the Director of Land Administration for the FCT.
The Basis for Revocation
The revocation notice cited the PDP’s failure to pay annual ground rents on the property for an extended period of 20 years, spanning from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2025. Despite repeated warnings and public notices issued in national newspapers and electronic media since 2023, the opposition party failed to settle its outstanding bills.
According to the letter, this non-compliance violated Section 28, Subsection 5 (a) and (b) of Nigeria’s Land Use Act. This section empowers authorities to revoke land rights when terms and conditions, such as payment of ground rent, are breached. As a result, Plot No. 243 in Abuja’s Central Area, Cadastral Zone A00—allocated for the PDP national secretariat—has officially reverted to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), which will take immediate possession of the property.
A Long-Standing Issue
Ground rent is a mandatory fee paid annually by property holders in Nigeria as stipulated under the Land Use Act of 1978. It serves as a critical source of revenue for state governments and ensures proper land use and development. However, failure to comply with this obligation can lead to severe consequences, including revocation of land rights.
The PDP’s inability to fulfill this financial obligation over two decades underscores broader challenges with property compliance in Nigeria. The FCTA had previously embarked on a campaign to recover unpaid ground rents across Abuja, targeting various individuals and organizations in similar situations.
Political Implications
This development adds another layer of complexity to Nigeria’s political landscape. The PDP is one of the country’s major opposition parties, and losing its national secretariat land could be seen as both a legal outcome and a politically charged decision under Wike’s administration. Notably, Wike himself is a former PDP governor who joined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet after his party lost the presidency in 2023.
What Happens Next?
The FCTA has indicated that it will take immediate possession of the property unless all outstanding payments are cleared—a move that may leave the PDP scrambling for alternatives. This situation serves as a reminder for all property holders in Nigeria to stay compliant with their financial obligations to avoid similar consequences.
Wike’s firm stance on enforcing land laws reflects his broader approach to governance in the FCT since taking office. Earlier actions included revoking over 4,500 land titles due to unpaid rents, signaling his administration’s commitment to ensuring accountability and proper land management within Abuja.
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