The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is set to take possession of properties with revoked land titles, including the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), beginning Monday, May 26, 2025.
This announcement was made by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike during a joint press briefing held in Abuja on Friday.
According to the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka, the crackdown targets 4,794 properties whose owners have defaulted on ground rent payments, some for as long as 43 years.
The list includes high-profile properties across Abuja, such as those in Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape.
Among the affected properties is the PDP’s permanent national headquarters, still under construction in Abuja’s Central Business District.
The land title for the site was revoked in March 2025 due to prolonged nonpayment of ground rent.
“The ownership of these revoked properties has reverted to the FCTA,” said Olayinka.
“Beginning Monday, the government will commence exercising its rights over these lands in accordance with applicable laws, without regard to the previous ownership.”
The FCTA noted that the revocations were carried out under Section 28(5)(a)(b) of the Land Use Act, which permits the government to repossess land when the conditions of occupancy are violated.
Director of Land Administration, Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze, emphasized that ground rent payments are due annually on January 1st without demand.
He clarified that the FCTA had provided a 21-day grace period for owners with debts under 10 years, which has now elapsed.
“There is no court injunction stopping us, and we are acting within the framework of the law,” Nwankwoeze said.
Director of Development Control, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, confirmed that enforcement actions would begin Monday, including sealing off and restricting access to the affected properties.
According to FCTA officials, the total outstanding ground rent owed amounts to over N6.96 billion.