Despite President Bola Tinubu’s directive to reopen the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the facility remains shut 48 hours later.
When visited around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, the PDP National Secretariat located at Wadata Plaza in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, was still under lock and key.
Both entry points were sealed, with staff and private security personnel seen milling around outside, unable to gain entry.
The secretariat was among several properties sealed on Monday by a task force from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) due to unpaid ground rent.
The FCTA had earlier announced the revocation of over 4,700 properties that had defaulted on rent payments for durations ranging between 10 and 43 years, amounting to approximately ₦6.96 billion.
Reacting to the development, Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, criticized the action during a National Caucus meeting in Abuja on the same day, describing it as a display of irresponsibility by the Federal Government.
However, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, defended the move, stressing that it was carried out in accordance with the law and devoid of any political motives.
Following public concern over the situation, President Tinubu on Monday ordered the immediate reopening of the PDP secretariat and other affected buildings, granting a 14-day window for the settlement of outstanding rent.
As of the time of this report, the PDP headquarters remains inaccessible.
A party insider, however, disclosed to The PUNCH that discussions are ongoing to resolve the matter and ensure the office is reopened soon.
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