FCDA snubs Tinubu’s directive, refuses to unseal PDP secretariat

By Tunde Opalana

The Federal Capital Development Authority (FDA) refused to unlock the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) more than 24 hours after the presidential directive to do so.

The Wadata Plaza headquarters of the major opposition party was sealed on Monday alongside 4,794 properties on the order of the Federal Capital Territory for non- payment of accrued ground rents to the FCDA at the expiration of the grace given owners to pay up the debts.

However, President Bola Tinubu later on Tuesday directed that concerned property owners be given a 14 day relief to effect payments and also regularise all their land titles with a penalty of N2 million

Staff and party members thronged the PSP secretariat as early as possible on Monday morning to resume activities but were shocked to met the seal on the entrance gate to the complex unbroken.

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To the charging of workers, members and even journalists awaiting the reopening of the complex, a team if the FCDA officials drive past the complex without stopping.

Investigation later found out that other sealed offices withing the vicinity of Dalaba Crescent road which includes offices of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Ibro Hotel, Total Filling Station and National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have been opened and normal activities resumed.

At the official close of work and time of filing this report, Wednesday evening, remained sealed while adjourning properties such as offices of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) have been unsealed.

The entry gate is under padlocked with a seal by the FCTA and sticker still pasted on the fence claiming the ownership of the Authority.

Reacting on behalf of the party, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Debo Ologunagba said, “I will rather not want to talk about it right now. We shall take the appropriate action at the right time.”

The Daily Times recalled that the party headquarters situated inside Wadata Plaza in Zone 5 area of Abuja was on Monday sealed alongside other properties by the FCDA for owing ground rent payments in arrears.