The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) sealed the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) headquarters, and several other prominent buildings in Abuja on May 26, 2025, due to unpaid ground rent and tenancy fees dating back over 25 years.
The operation, led by the FCTA’s Department of Development Control, targeted high-profile properties, including Wadata Plaza (PDP’s headquarters), the FIRS office, Access Bank branches, and Ibro Hotel, among others. The FCTA cited non-compliance with land use regulations and failure to settle accumulated debts, some spanning nearly three decades, as the reason for the enforcement action.
The sealing of these properties involved locking gates and posting notices, effectively halting operations at the affected sites. The FCTA’s director of development control stated that the action followed repeated notices to defaulters, with the affected organizations owing billions of naira in ground rent, a mandatory fee for land use in the Federal Capital Territory.
The PDP secretariat’s closure drew particular attention, given the party’s ongoing internal crisis and its role as Nigeria’s main opposition. PDP officials condemned the move as politically motivated, alleging that the APC-led government was targeting opposition strongholds to weaken their influence ahead of the 2027 elections. The FIRS, a critical revenue-generating agency, faced operational disruptions, raising concerns about tax administration.
The action has sparked widespread debate, with some praising the FCTA for enforcing fiscal discipline, while others view it as an overreach that could exacerbate political tensions. The FCTA has given defaulters a 30-day ultimatum to clear their debts or risk permanent revocation of their land titles. The incident highlights the challenges of land administration in Abuja, where high costs and bureaucratic delays have led to widespread non-compliance. It also underscores the financial pressures on organizations operating in the capital, prompting calls for a review of ground rent policies to balance revenue generation with economic realities.