PDP Headquarters Remains Sealed Despite Tinubu’s Order to Unseal Properties

More than 24 hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to unseal properties shut down over non-payment of ground rent, the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja remains sealed, leaving staff frustrated and operations halted.

The iconic building, located in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, was among the numerous properties sealed by FCTA enforcement officers on Monday as part of a mass clampdown on rent defaulters. However, public backlash followed, prompting the President’s intervention. Tinubu subsequently instructed FCTA officials to unseal the affected properties and granted a 14-day grace period for property owners to pay outstanding rents, with an added penalty of ₦2 million, and to regularize their land documentation.

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Despite this directive, as of 10:15 am on Wednesday, the gates of the PDP headquarters remained padlocked, with an FCTA seal conspicuously displayed beside the lock. Staff members were seen loitering outside the compound, visibly frustrated and confused by the continued closure.

A party employee, who requested anonymity, expressed suspicion that the delay in unsealing the PDP building might be politically motivated. “I was here yesterday when the FCTA staff came around,” the staff member said. “They went to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Ibro Hotel, and NAPTIP and unsealed all of them. But when they arrived at our office, they immediately turned back and drove off without explanation.”

The employee added that he followed the FCTA team to their office and attempted to inquire about the status of the PDP building. “I met with the Director of Lands, but he told me they are still waiting for instructions from the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) to proceed with unsealing PDP,” he explained.

This unexplained delay has heightened tensions and stirred speculation that the situation might extend beyond administrative issues. While other high-profile institutions and agencies had their properties reopened in line with Tinubu’s directive, the PDP remains conspicuously excluded from the list, fueling concerns of selective enforcement.

The FCTA’s sealing operation, which began on Monday, was part of a broader initiative to recover billions of naira owed in ground rent by both private and government institutions. The FCTA had accused many titleholders of failing to honor their statutory obligations under the Land Use Act, prompting the clampdown. However, the blanket enforcement was widely criticized as overly aggressive and poorly timed, leading to the President’s swift intervention.

President Tinubu, in his directive, acknowledged the importance of enforcing legal obligations but stressed the need for fairness and due process. He urged defaulters to pay their dues within the stipulated 14-day window and imposed a flat ₦2 million penalty in addition to the overdue amounts. This move was widely applauded as a balanced approach that upheld rule of law without causing undue disruption to businesses and political organizations.

However, the continued closure of the PDP’s headquarters raises questions about the implementation of the directive. Observers argue that unless the situation is promptly addressed, it could spark allegations of political interference or bias against the main opposition party.

As of the time of filing this report, the PDP has yet to issue an official statement on the matter. The silence from the party’s leadership has only added to the confusion and uncertainty surrounding the issue. Party members and supporters have taken to social media to voice their frustration, calling on the FCTA to adhere to the President’s instructions without favoritism.

Political analysts warn that the delay could escalate tensions ahead of critical political engagements and meetings scheduled by the party. They note that the PDP headquarters is not just a physical structure but a central nerve center for opposition politics in Nigeria, and its prolonged closure could hinder organizational activities.

Meanwhile, efforts to reach FCTA and AGIS officials for clarification were unsuccessful at the time of publication. The lack of communication from the authorities has left many speculating whether internal bureaucracy or external influence is behind the holdup.

As the 14-day grace period counts down, the spotlight remains firmly on FCTA officials and their next course of action. Stakeholders await clarity and transparency in the implementation of the President’s directive, especially as public interest in the matter continues to grow.

Unless resolved swiftly, the continued sealing of the PDP headquarters may ignite further political controversy and deepen suspicions of partisan targeting—an outcome the Tinubu administration would likely prefer to avoid in its bid to maintain national cohesion.