Abuja, Nigeria – The national headquarters of Nigeria’s main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja remained sealed on Wednesday, 48 hours after President Bola Tinubu reportedly ordered its reopening.
Access to the PDP National Secretariat at Wadata Plaza in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, was still blocked as of 11:00 AM local time. Staff members and private security personnel were observed outside the premises, unable to enter the building.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) taskforce had sealed several properties, including the PDP National Secretariat, on Monday afternoon over unpaid ground rent. The FCTA had previously announced plans to repossess 4,794 properties for defaulting on ground rent payments ranging from 10 to 43 years, amounting to a total of ₦6.96 billion (approximately $4.8 million USD).
In response to the sealing, PDP Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum condemned the action during a National Caucus meeting in Abuja on Monday, labelling it an “act of irresponsibility” by the Federal Government. Conversely, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and social media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, defended the operation, asserting its legal justification and denying any political motivation.
Amid concerns about the implications of the sealing, President Tinubu on Monday reportedly ordered that the PDP National Secretariat and other affected properties be reopened, granting a 14-day grace period for the outstanding dues to be cleared.
Despite the President’s directive, the PDP office remains sealed. Sources within the party indicate that efforts are underway to resolve the issue and facilitate the reopening of the office.
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