The continued sealing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Headquarters in Abuja has sparked growing political tension and public outcry, as the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under the supervision of Minister Nyesom Wike, has failed to comply with a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu calling for the immediate unsealing of the premises.
President Tinubu had, through official communication, directed that the PDP Secretariat be reopened without delay, emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic principles, due process, and respect for political institutions. Despite this directive, the building located in Wuse Zone 5 remains cordoned off by officials of the Development Control Department of the FCTA.
The FCTA initially sealed the property on grounds of alleged building code violations and questions surrounding land use compliance. However, critics and civil society organizations have denounced the move as politically motivated, citing the timing and manner of the action as an abuse of regulatory power.
Multiple sources within the Presidency have confirmed the authenticity of the President’s directive and expressed disappointment over its apparent disregard. “The President was clear in his instructions. Any further delay undermines both the authority of his office and the rule of law,” a senior government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated.
The PDP, Nigeria’s main opposition party, has condemned the continued closure of its headquarters, describing it as a “blatant act of executive impunity” and a “desperate attempt to stifle opposition voices.” In a statement released earlier today, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba called on the President to “rein in the FCT Minister before this impunity spirals into a full-blown constitutional crisis.”
Minister Wike has yet to issue a public statement regarding his refusal to execute the President’s order. Political observers warn that the ongoing standoff could trigger wider implications for intra-party relations within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly as Wike, a former PDP governor, holds a politically sensitive portfolio at the heart of the nation’s capital.