Tinubu Intervenes as FCTA Seals PDP Secretariat, FIRS, Banks Over Unpaid Ground Rent

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has temporarily halted the sealing of 4,794 properties in Abuja by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) over unpaid ground rent, granting defaulters a 14-day grace period to settle their debts. 

At an emergency briefing on Tuesday, FCTA’s Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, announced that affected property owners must pay outstanding rents along with penalties—ranging from N5 million in the Central Area to N3 million in high-end districts like Maitama and Asokoro, and N2 million in areas like Wuse I and Garki. 

The FCTA also warned buyers who have not registered their properties with the mandatory Minister’s Consent to do so within the same timeframe or risk revocation. 

The enforcement drive saw the sealing of major institutions, including: 
– FIRS offices in Wuse Zone 5 (allegedly unpaid for 25 years). 
– PDP National Secretariat (forcing the party to relocate a caucus meeting). 
– Access Bank (34-year default) and Total Energy (10-year default). 

FIRS officials, however, denied owing ground rent, claiming they had paid N2.3 million in September 2023 but were yet to receive an official receipt. They accused the FCTA of acting without due diligence. 

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike dismissed claims of political targeting, stating: “We sealed FIRS, Access Bank, and Total—is that politics? This is about enforcing the law.”

Meanwhile, HURIWA criticized the move, arguing that defaulting on ground rent should attract penalties, not outright forfeiture. 

The crisis prompted a closed-door meeting between Tinubu and FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji, signaling efforts to resolve inter-agency tensions. 

As the deadline looms, property owners scramble to comply, while the FCTA insists the crackdown will continue until all revoked properties are reclaimed.