The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the revocation of its land rights for its national secretariats in Abuja, saying it was an attempt to stifle the opposition.
The PDP national publicity secretary, Hon Debo Ologunagba, who stated this while reacting to the revocation, disclosed that besides the permanent site on Central Area which was still under construction, the land rights for the popular Wadata Plaza in Wuse Zone 5 was also revoked.
The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had revoked the land rights of PDP permanent national secretariat located in the Central Area in Abuja.
The land right was revoked because the party failed to pay the annual ground rents due on the property for 20 years, a letter signed by the director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, on behalf of the minister stated.
Besides the Wadata Plaza and the permanent site, PDP also uses the Legacy House in Maitama for its activities.
The letter, titled “Notice Of Revocation Of Right Of Occupancy With File No. MISC 81346 In Respect Of Plot No. 243 Within Central Area (A00) District, Abuja,” was addressed to the PDP national chairman, Amb Illiya Damagum.
It stated, “I have been directed to refer to the above Right of Occupancy granted to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), National Secretariat and inform you that the Minister of Federal Capital Territory has in the exercise of powers conferred on him under the Land Use Act No. 6 of 1978, Cap. L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, revoked your rights, interests and privileges over Plot No. 243 within Central Area, Cadastral Zone A00, Abuja.”
The revocation is attributed to the PDP’s prolonged failure to comply with the terms of the grant, specifically, “by failing to pay the annual ground rents due on the property for twenty (20) years, from 1st of January 2006 to 1st of January 2025.”
“This is despite the many publications made by the FCT Administration since 2023 in several national dailies and on electronic media requesting all allottees of plots in the Federal Capital Territory to pay up every outstanding bills and ground rents on their properties,” the letter emphasises.
The director further noted that the PDP’s actions “run contrary to the provisions of Section 28, Subsection 5 (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.”
The letter further stated, “I am to further inform you that the subject property (Plot No. 243 Central Area, Cadastral Zone A00, Abuja) has thus reverted to the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the Administration will take immediate possession thereof.”
When contacted on the land revocation, the PDP national spokesman, Ologunagba, said, “The attempt by the All Progressives Congress 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. And it is a threat to democracy. The NWC is now meeting and I will get back to you shortly with a detailed response of our party to this development.
“To let you know, how despicable this action is, it is both properties. Both the new one under construction and the one the PDP has been occupying for almost two decades – the Wadata Plaza. It is an attempt to stifle opposition,” he said.
