PDP Headquarters in Abuja Still Sealed Despite President Tinubu’s Order to Reopen Properties
Why the PDP National Secretariat Remains Shut 24 Hours After Presidential Directive
More than 24 hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu issued a clear directive to unseal all government-confiscated properties in Abuja that were sealed due to unpaid ground rent, the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains shut.
This continued closure has sparked political tension and public concern, especially considering that President Tinubu had intervened to reverse what many described as a heavy-handed approach by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). While other affected properties have reportedly been reopened, the PDP's headquarters, located in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, is still under lock and key.
The FCTA’s Sealing Spree: Billions in Unpaid Ground Rent
On Monday, May 26, 2025, officials from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) launched a mass sealing operation targeting property owners who had defaulted on their ground rent payments. According to FCTA sources, the cumulative debt from defaulters runs into billions of naira.
Properties sealed during the operation included:
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The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) office
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Several commercial banks
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Petrol stations
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Private buildings
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And notably, the National Secretariat of the PDP
Ground rent is a mandatory annual payment that landowners in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) must pay to the government to maintain their land titles. Failure to pay this rent can lead to the revocation of titles and sealing of property, as witnessed on May 26.
President Tinubu Steps In: A Surprising Directive
Following widespread backlash and political uproar over the sweeping FCTA action, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu waded into the matter on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
The President, in a statement through his spokesperson, expressed concern over the hasty sealing of buildings and ordered an immediate review. He instructed the FCTA to unseal all affected properties and instead allow defaulters a 14-day grace period to settle their debts.
“All affected property owners are given 14 days to pay their outstanding ground rent along with a penalty of N2 million. They are also advised to regularise their land titles before the deadline,” the statement read.
President Tinubu’s decision was seen as a balancing act—aimed at enforcing compliance with the law while preventing unnecessary disruption to businesses, government services, and political institutions.
PDP Secretariat: Still Sealed, Still Silent
Despite President Tinubu’s directive, checks by NaijaRush.com on Wednesday, May 28, revealed that the PDP National Secretariat located at Plot 1970, Michael Okpara Street, Wuse Zone 5, remains sealed.
The entrance of the building is still blocked, and the “sealed” notice posted by the FCTA Enforcement Unit remains visible. There are no signs of activity within or around the premises. Party members and staff have reportedly been working remotely or from alternate locations due to the closure.
This development raises several questions:
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Why has the PDP secretariat not been unsealed like the other affected properties?
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Is the delay deliberate, political, or simply a case of bureaucratic backlog?
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Has the PDP paid the required ground rent and penalties?
So far, the FCTA has not issued any official statement regarding the status of the PDP secretariat.
PDP’s Reaction: Quiet, But Watching
As of the time of this report, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has not released an official response to the continued sealing of its national headquarters. However, sources within the party told NaijaRush that the leadership is “closely monitoring” the situation and may issue a formal statement soon if the impasse persists.
A top-ranking PDP official who spoke on condition of anonymity said:
“This is a political party with a long and distinguished history. We expect that the President’s directive will be obeyed. We don’t want to jump to conclusions, but if this is political victimisation, we will not take it lightly.”
The source added that the party has begun reviewing its financial obligations, including ground rent and land title status, and will ensure full compliance within the grace period.
Legal Experts Weigh In
Legal analysts who spoke with NaijaRush noted that while the FCTA has the constitutional authority to revoke land titles and seal properties for non-compliance, the President’s directive overrides administrative actions when national interest or fairness is at stake.
Barrister Ikenna Okoye, a property law expert based in Abuja, said:
“Once the President has issued a directive granting a grace period, all enforcement actions must be paused. Any refusal to comply with that order—unless reversed through proper legal means—amounts to administrative disobedience.”
He further noted that selectively enforcing the unsealing directive could open the FCTA to legal challenges, especially if political institutions like the PDP are unfairly targeted.
Nigerians React: Social Media Buzz
Nigerians have taken to social media to express their views on the unfolding situation. On X (formerly Twitter), the hashtag #PDPSecretariat has started trending, with many users questioning the motive behind the continued closure.
@ChuksNaija tweeted:
“If Tinubu said unseal all properties and FCTA left PDP HQ closed, are we still pretending this is about ground rent? Smells political to me. #NaijaPolitics”
@FCTWatcher wrote:
“Why is FIRS reopened but PDP HQ still sealed? Either you follow the directive for all or none. This selective compliance is wrong.”
Some users also called on the PDP to immediately pay its outstanding debts, if any, and avoid playing the victim card.
What’s Next?
With the 14-day grace period ticking, it remains to be seen how the FCTA will handle the PDP secretariat issue in the coming days. Will the building be reopened quietly? Or will this escalate into a legal or political battle?
What is clear, however, is that this situation is being closely watched—not just by party faithful but by the general public, civil society, and political observers nationwide.
Conclusion: A Test of Law and Politics
The continued sealing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat in Abuja, despite President Tinubu’s directive to unseal all affected properties, highlights the ongoing tension between governance, legal enforcement, and political perception in Nigeria.
While the FCTA’s effort to recover billions in unpaid ground rent is legally justified, it must be balanced with transparency and fairness. Any selective enforcement, especially against major political actors, will fuel speculation of partisan bias and erode public trust.
As the countdown to the 14-day deadline continues, Nigerians will be watching to see whether the law will be applied uniformly—or whether politics will once again cloud due process.
