The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Federal Government of orchestrating a “brazen abuse of power” and attempting to “undermine democracy” after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) sealed its national secretariat in Abuja on May 26, 2025, over unpaid ground rent spanning 28 years.
The party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum, condemned the action as “reckless” during an emergency caucus meeting at the Bauchi Governors’ Lodge, vowing resistance, including readiness for arrests, and challenging the FCTA to escalate its actions.
Late Monday, President Bola Tinubu intervened, granting a 14-day grace period for the PDP and 4,793 other defaulters to settle outstanding ground rents and penalties, ranging from ₦2 million to ₦5 million, to avoid permanent property forfeiture, per Vanguard.
The crisis, compounded by internal PDP feuds involving FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, highlights political tensions and raises questions about Nigeria’s democratic health amid economic strain.
The FCTA’s sealing of the PDP headquarters at Wadata Plaza, reported by The Sun, forced the party to relocate operations to the Bauchi Governors’ Lodge, where the caucus meeting convened at 5:30 PM on May 26. Damagum, addressing attendees, declared, “We will not take this lightly. They could come and arrest all of us; we are prepared. This is a clear attempt to undermine democracy, and we will hold them accountable,” according to reports.
He labeled the FCTA’s move a “clear example of the irresponsibility exhibited by this government” and warned, “If they are encouraging such actions, we do not take it lightly.
They are attempting to undermine democracy, and this is completely unacceptable.” The meeting, attended by PDP heavyweights like Governors Seyi Makinde, Peter Mbah, and Bala Mohammed, also tackled the party’s internal rifts, particularly Wike’s feud with Makinde and Mbah, per The Nation.
The PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT), meeting concurrently, considered postponing the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for May 27 to resolve conflicts, including Wike’s withdrawal from peace talks and accusations against Makinde and Mbah for undermining reconciliation.
A BoT source told Vanguard, “They might push the NEC meeting back to give more time to settle these conflicts,” with a small committee tasked to report on May 27 at 10:00 AM. The PDP promised a detailed briefing post-deliberations, per TheCable.
A group, PDP Frontiers for Change and Progress, accused Wike of being the “real betrayer” and an “APC mole,” urging him to exit the party, per a statement by coordinator Emeka Ikpegbu, who claimed Wike’s actions, including his role in Rivers State’s PDP collapse, aim to “sink” the party, per Leadership.
The FCTA justified the sealing, with Director of Land Administration Chijoke Nwakwoeze asserting that the PDP, under original owner Samaila Mamman Kurfi, owed 28 years of ground rent, part of ₦6.96 billion owed by 4,794 properties, per Punch.
“We keep good records. In this case, we are talking of 28 years,” Nwakwoeze said, dismissing mix-up claims and noting defaulters must appeal to Wike for reconsideration, per The Sun.
Wike’s aide, Lere Olayinka, denied political motives, citing actions against other defaulters like FIRS and Access Bank, and stating, “This exercise will continue as long as we can conclude taking possession of those over 4,000 properties,” per Vanguard.
Tinubu’s intervention, announced late Monday, offers relief, with penalties of ₦5 million for Central Area properties, ₦3 million for Maitama and Asokoro, and ₦2 million for Wuse I and Garki, plus a 14-day window to register deeds and pay Right of Occupancy bills, per The Nation.
The crisis amplifies Nigeria’s political volatility, with the PDP’s 2023 election loss and 16 House defections since July 2023, per your earlier query, weakening its opposition role.
Economic pressures—34% inflation and ₦144 trillion debt, per Nairametrics—heighten public frustration, with X users like @GazetteNGR noting the PDP’s defiance, while @SaharaReporters highlighted Wike’s role in escalating tensions.
For Nigeria, hosting the Rabat Process, Tinubu’s reprieve mirrors diplomatic de-escalation, like U.S.-mediated truces, but the PDP’s internal fractures and the FCTA’s aggressive enforcement risk further polarizing the political landscape.
What you should know
The FCTA’s sealing of the PDP secretariat over 28 years of unpaid ground rent prompted accusations of democratic sabotage, with Damagum vowing resistance.
Tinubu’s 14-day grace period for the PDP and 4,793 defaulters to settle rents and penalties offers relief, but internal PDP crises, fueled by Wike’s feud, threaten party unity and Nigeria’s opposition strength.
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