Minister Nyesom Wike has announced that the Federal Capital Territory Administration will begin taking over properties in Abuja due to unpaid ground rent, starting Monday, May 26, 2025, with the land housing the Peoples Democratic Party headquarters being one of the affected properties.
The announcement was made on Wike’s behalf during a joint press conference in Abuja on Friday, attended by key FCTA officials including the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka, Director of Land Administration, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, and Director of Development Control, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima.
According to officials, 4,794 property titles have been revoked due to non-payment of ground rent, with some defaults going back as far as 43 years. One of the affected properties is the permanent headquarters of the PDP, which is currently under construction in Abuja’s Central Business District.
“Ownership of the revoked 4,794 properties in the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape districts had already reverted to the FCTA.
And as from Monday, next week, the government will begin to exercise its rights of ownership on the affected landed properties,” the officials said.
“As usual, this will be done without consideration as to ownership of the affected landed properties. It will be purely in line with extant laws and regulations guiding the process.”
The FCTA revoked the plots of land under Section 28(5)(a)(b) of the Land Use Act, which allows the government to reclaim land when the terms of occupancy are breached, according to the statement.
The affected landowners had defaulted on over N6.96 billion in ground rent, and the administration had given a 21-day grace period for owners with debts under 10 years, which has now expired.
During the briefing, the Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, stressed that payment is due on the first day of January each year, as clearly stated in the Right of Occupancy grant’s terms and conditions.
“There was no court decision on the revocation, and as such, the FCTA is not restricted in the discharge of its lawful functions on the affected properties.”
Director of Development Control Mukhtar Galadima confirmed that enforcement would begin on Monday.
He said the FCTA will begin sealing off the affected properties and restricting access on Monday.
