The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked the land title of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat in Abuja due to a 20-year non-payment of ground rent.
The revocation notice, dated March 13, 2025, was issued in a letter titled, “Notice of Right of Occupancy with File No. MISC 81346 in Respect of Plot No. 243 Within Central Area District, Abuja.” The notice, signed by the Director of Land Administration (FCT), Chijioke Nwankwoeze, stated that the party had failed to meet its financial obligations despite repeated reminders.
According to the letter, the PDP neglected to pay the required annual ground rents from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2025, despite multiple notifications through national newspapers and electronic media. The FCT Administration had been urging all allottees to settle outstanding land charges to avoid penalties.
The letter read in part: “I have been directed to refer to the above Right of Occupancy granted to PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP), NATIONAL SECRETARIAT, and inform you that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory has, in the exercise of powers conferred on him under the Land Use Act No. 6 of 1978, Cap. L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, revoked your rights, interests, and privileges over Plot No. 243 within Central Area, Cadastral Zone A00, Abuja.”
Wike further stated that the continued contravention of the terms of the Right of Occupancy by the PDP necessitated the revocation. The FCT Administration will take immediate possession of the property until all outstanding payments are cleared.
This action is part of a wider crackdown on defaulters, as Wike had earlier approved the revocation of 4,794 land titles across the FCT over non-payment of ground rent. According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the outstanding debts total N6.9 billion, spanning over 40 years.
A recent briefing by the Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwanwkoeze, revealed that 8,375 property owners in prime locations such as the Central Area, Garki, Wuse, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape had failed to pay ground rent for the past 43 years. Of these, 4,794 land titles have defaulted for at least a decade.
Olayinka reiterated that the FCT Administration had made repeated announcements since 2023, urging defaulters to settle their dues. “Payment of ground rent on landed properties in the FCT is founded on extant legislation. It is clearly stipulated in the terms and conditions of the grant of Right of Occupancy and is due for payment on the first day of January each year, without demand,” he stated.
