The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) sealed its National Secretariat on Monday.
Speaking following the National Caucus Meeting of the PDP held at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum described the action as “irresponsible”.
“I want to use this opportunity to tell you that, you are aware, that our office has been sealed. That is the highest level of irresponsibility from this government.
“If they are encouraging it, we are not going to take it lightly. In fact, they can come and arrest all of us. We are ready for that. We condemn this in totality and we will not tolerate it.
“They are trying to mark democracy day; and this is unacceptable. We condemn it and we will make sure they have us to contend with,” Damagum said.
Recall the FCTA took possession of Wadata Plaza, the building used by the PDP as its National Secretariat due to 28 years of unpaid ground rent.
Director of Lands at the FCTA, Mr Chijoke Nwankwoeze, said the action followed the revocation of the property’s land title, which was formally served on the property owner, Sen. Samaila Kurfi, on March 14.
Nwankwoeze explained that the property, located on Plot 1970, Michael Okpara Street, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, was officially reverted to the FCTA after repeated failure to settle outstanding annual ground rent spanning nearly three decades.
He noted that the revocation notice was properly delivered to Kurfi’s registered address in Kaduna.
When asked whether the PDP had been notified, Nwankwoeze clarified that the FCTA did not deal with tenants, but only with the rightful property owners recorded in its database.
The property, he said, was among 4,794 titles revoked in March due to unpaid ground rent totaling more than N6 billion.
“The PDP property is the sixth to be sealed so far. This enforcement exercise will continue until all revoked properties are addressed,” he added.
Also speaking, Mr Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, rejected any political interpretation of the action.
He emphasised that the operation was purely administrative and conducted in line with the provisions of the Land Use Act.
“This is not a political witch-hunt. It’s an enforcement of land administration regulations,” Olayinka said.
Other sealed properties in the FCT include a Total petrol station, Access Bank, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) office, Ibro Hotel, and Mamuda Group Warehouse, all located in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.