The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fiercely criticized the recent revocation of its Right of Occupancy by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government, describing the move as a serious threat to democracy.
In a statement released on Tuesday, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, condemned the action, accusing the government of trying to silence opposition and undermine the democratic process. The revocation specifically targets the PDP’s National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, as well as a new property under construction by the party.
Ologunagba labeled the move by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, as “a dangerous drive towards totalitarianism.” He further warned that this was not just a legal or administrative issue, but a political maneuver aimed at curbing opposition voices in the country.
“The PDP sees this as an attempt to stifle the opposition and prevent it from fulfilling its democratic role,” Ologunagba stated. “The National Working Committee (NWC) is currently convening and will issue a full response shortly.”
Earlier in the week, Chief Nyesom Wike signed a letter dated March 13, 2025, that officially revoked the PDP’s land title. The letter, titled “Notice of Right of Occupancy with File No: MISC 81346,” cited the PDP’s failure to pay annual ground rents over the past 20 years, from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2025.
In his letter, Wike explained that the PDP had ignored multiple public notices requesting payment of outstanding fees. He added that the FCT administration would now take immediate possession of the land, including the party’s secretariat, until all debts are cleared.
The revocation notice detailed the legal basis for the action, stating that the PDP’s continued failure to pay ground rents violated the terms of their land grant under the Land Use Act. According to the notice, the PDP’s breach of the contract “contravenes the provisions of Section 28, Subsection 5 (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.”
The PDP has strongly rejected the claim that their failure to pay is intentional, instead insisting that the action is politically motivated and intended to target the party as it seeks to fulfill its role as the country’s main opposition. With tensions escalating, the PDP is preparing to respond in full, signaling that the issue could become a flashpoint in Nigerian politics.
