PDP Condemns Secretariat Sealing as Tinubu Steps In with 14-Day Reprieve…Tensions flared in Nigeria’s political landscape as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lashed out against the sealing of its national secretariat by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), describing the action as a calculated attempt to stifle opposition voices.
The development, which unfolded on May 26, 2025, saw FCTA officials sealing the PDP’s headquarters, popularly known as Wadata Plaza, alongside an 11-storey uncompleted building in Abuja’s Central Business District.
The FCTA cited non-payment of ground rents for nearly three decades as the reason for the enforcement action.
According to official statements, the PDP had failed to settle statutory land charges from as far back as January 1, 2006, up until January 1, 2025, prompting the revocation of land titles associated with the properties.
The Department of Development Control, acting on the directive, moved to secure both premises pending full resolution of the matter.
However, the move was met with fierce opposition from the PDP, which accused the federal government of employing state institutions to suppress dissent.
Party officials described the sealing of their secretariat as politically motivated, especially given the timing and the nature of the enforcement.
The party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum, condemned the action during an emergency meeting held at the Bauchi Governors’ Lodge in Abuja.
He characterized it as a blatant abuse of power and an orchestrated attack on Nigeria’s democratic framework.
Damagum did not mince words, stating that the PDP was prepared to endure further provocations, including harassment and potential arrests.
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He urged party members to remain vigilant and steadfast in the face of what he described as an attempt to silence legitimate political opposition.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, reinforced this position, emphasizing that the action posed a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
He alleged that the government’s justification—unpaid ground rents—was a mere smokescreen to execute a political agenda.
According to him, the simultaneous targeting of both the functioning secretariat and the yet-to-be-completed structure in the capital demonstrated an intent far beyond revenue enforcement.
In a surprising turn, however, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intervened to ease the escalating tensions.
Following consultations and widespread public concern, the President directed the FCTA to issue a 14-day grace period to all affected parties, including the PDP, allowing them to settle outstanding obligations and regularize their land documentation.
The announcement was made public by the Director of Land Administration at the FCTA, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, who clarified that the temporary reprieve applied to all defaulters under similar circumstances, not just political entities.
Though the PDP acknowledged the grace period, its leaders remain wary of the motives behind the initial enforcement.
The party continues to view the action as part of a larger pattern of authoritarian tactics aimed at intimidating opposition parties and consolidating power.
It reiterated its commitment to democratic principles and warned that any future attempts to erode civil liberties would be met with stiff resistance.
The unfolding episode has sparked debate across political and civil society circles, with critics questioning the impartiality of public institutions in politically charged matters.
Observers argue that while enforcement of land use laws is necessary, selective or aggressive application—particularly involving opposition groups—risks undermining democratic stability.
As the two-week grace period continues, attention is fixed on whether the PDP will be able to settle its dues and reclaim control of its sealed properties.
Meanwhile, the political undertone of the action remains a focal point, with many Nigerians questioning whether state mechanisms are being used fairly or weaponized for political gains.
The incident underscores the ongoing strain between Nigeria’s ruling party and its main opposition, raising fresh concerns about the health of the country’s democratic space and the role of government agencies in mediating political disputes.
What remains clear is that the next steps taken by both the PDP and the federal government will be closely scrutinized in a political climate already rife with tension and mistrust.
