The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has sealed off the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Secretariat located in Zone 5, Abuja, over non-payment of ground rent. The enforcement action was carried out on Monday as part of the FCTA’s renewed drive to recover billions of naira owed in land charges across the Federal Capital Territory.
According to officials, the property, which serves as the party’s major administrative hub in Abuja, belongs to Senator Samaila Mamman Kurfi. The former lawmaker reportedly defaulted on his ground rent obligations for an astounding 28 years, prompting the FCTA to take action after several unsuccessful attempts to recover the debt.
Speaking on the development, a senior FCTA official said the sealing was in line with existing laws regulating land ownership in Abuja. “Allottees are expected to comply with their ground rent obligations. When they fail to do so, we are empowered to enforce compliance, including sealing properties and revoking titles if necessary,” he stated.
The closure of the secretariat has caused a stir within the PDP, with staff and visitors barred from accessing the premises. Party officials were reportedly caught off guard by the move, with many expressing shock over the longstanding debt attached to the building. As of the time of this report, no official response has been issued by the PDP.
Senator Samaila Mamman Kurfi, a former representative of Katsina Central Senatorial District, is yet to respond to inquiries regarding the unpaid ground rent or the status of the property. Efforts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.
The FCTA has in recent months intensified its campaign to recover land-related debts, warning property owners of the consequences of non-compliance. Authorities have stressed that the exercise is non-partisan and aimed at ensuring accountability and sustainability in land administration.
