The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Monday sealed off the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Wuse, Abuja, as part of a sweeping enforcement drive targeting nearly 5,000 properties revoked over non-payment of ground rent.
Acting on the orders of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, FCTA officials arrived at the building around 2:05 p.m., demanding to see management.
Before the guards could establish contact, the premises were sealed, causing brief protests and resistance from staff members.
After roughly 15 minutes of back-and-forth, officials temporarily unsealed the gates to allow employees retrieve their vehicles and personal items. The premises were then sealed again.
The action follows the FCTA’s earlier announcement that it would begin reclaiming ownership of 4,794 properties whose ground rents had gone unpaid for periods ranging from 10 to 43 years.
During a press briefing last Friday, FCT Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka; Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze; and Director of the Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, had issued a clear warning.
“Ownership of the revoked 4,794 properties in the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama and Guzape districts, had already reverted to the FCTA, and as from Monday, next week, the government will begin to exercise its rights of ownership on the affected landed properties.
As usual, this will be done without consideration as to ownership of the affected landed properties. It will be purely in line with extant laws and regulations guiding the process.”
Galadima further explained that all affected properties would be sealed, and access would be restricted until further notice.
In response to questions about legal challenges, Director of Lands Chijioke Nwankwoeze clarified that no court had issued a ruling to stop the FCTA from executing its statutory duties.
“Recall that on March 18, 2025, we informed you of the revocation of 4,794 land titles in the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama and Guzape districts.
These 4,794 properties were among the total of 8,375 land titles on which ground rent was not paid from one year to 43 years.
We did say then that consequent upon the revocation of these titles, ownership of the affected properties have reverted to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
As from Monday, May 26, 2025, the FCTA will begin to take possession of the affected properties, using relevant agencies of government.”
Nwankwoeze also disclosed that the administration is finalizing records of compliance for defaulters who were given a 21-day grace period to settle their outstanding dues. Once completed, more enforcement actions are expected to follow.
