Minister Refutes Claim of Revoking PDP’s Land Title
Minister’s Dismay Over PDP’s Allegation
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has refuted the claim by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that his action to revoke the party’s land title was a ploy to suppress opposition. Wike made the statement during a visit by officials of the Body of Benchers, led by Chairman Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), in Abuja on Friday.
PDP’s Failure to Pay Ground Rent
Wike pointed out that political, religious, and ethnic sentiments were often linked to every executive action in the country. He said that the revocation of land titles of allottees, who had failed to pay mandatory ground rent for over 10 years, was often misinterpreted as a political move. The PDP had been in power for several years but could not pay the N7.6 million ground rent for its land title in the Central Area, where it was constructing its National Secretariat.
PDP’s Unpaid Ground Rent
Wike noted that in spite of generating between N13 billion and N20 billion through the sale of party forms, the PDP had not paid the ground rent, which amounted to N7.6 million. He further explained that the Wadata Plaza, where the PDP’s National Secretariat was located, was not registered as a property of the party but was instead registered under a Senator residing in Abuja.
Land Revocation Not Peculiar to PDP
Wike emphasized that the land revocation was not peculiar to the PDP, stating that other institutions, such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), including individuals, had also had their land titles revoked for the same reason. He said that CBN had been pleading for the reversal of the land title, "but I told the bank to pay the outstanding ground rent before the revocation will be reversed".
Warning to Defaulting Land Allottees
Wike also advised the Body of Benchers to ensure they paid their ground rent, warning that no defaulting land allottee would be spared. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wike had approved the revocation of 4,794 land titles on March 17, 2025, due to non-payment of ground rent for over 10 years, affecting individuals, corporate organisations, and government institutions.
Conclusion
The Minister’s statement has shed light on the real issues surrounding the revocation of the PDP’s land title, debunking the party’s claims of political suppression. The Minister’s emphasis on the non-payment of ground rent and the need for defaulting land allottees to pay up has highlighted the importance of responsible land ownership and management.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the reason for the revocation of the PDP’s land title?
- The PDP has failed to pay the mandatory ground rent for over 10 years, amounting to N7.6 million.
- What is the Minister’s stance on the PDP’s claim of political suppression?
- The Minister has refuted the claim, stating that the revocation is not a political move, but rather a necessary step to ensure compliance with land ownership regulations.
- Are other institutions and individuals affected by the land revocation?
- Yes, other institutions, including INEC and CBN, as well as individuals, have also had their land titles revoked for the same reason.
