The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has come out swinging in opposition to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for sealing off its nationwide secretariat, Wadata Plaza, over unpaid floor hire spanning 28 years.
Talking after an emergency caucus assembly on Monday, Appearing PDP Chairman Umar Damagum described the FCTA’s motion as “irresponsible” and politically suspicious. He introduced that the get together would problem the transfer via authorized means and vowed it might not be intimidated.
“We contemplate this motion not solely irresponsible however a deliberate try to stifle the opposition. We are going to resist it via each lawful channel,” Damagum acknowledged.
Although the caucus assembly has been adjourned to 10 a.m. Tuesday, the get together management stored mum on whether or not its Nationwide Government Council (NEC) assembly would nonetheless maintain as deliberate.
The FCTA had sealed the PDP’s headquarters earlier on Monday, citing a debt of N7.6 million in floor hire, unpaid for 28 years. In response to Lere Olayinka, a senior aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, the enforcement adopted widespread non-compliance by a number of authorities businesses and personal organisations.
Wadata Plaza was not the one construction affected in Monday’s clampdown. Additionally sealed have been places of work of the Federal Inland Income Service (FIRS)—reportedly owing 25 years’ hire—together with NAPTIP and a industrial {bank} in Wuse Zone 5.
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The PDP, nonetheless, views the transfer as selective and suspicious, given its place because the nation’s main opposition get together.
“This seems to be a part of an even bigger political agenda. We’re watching and can reply appropriately,” a senior get together supply added.
The FCT administration has lately decried the lack of over N6 billion in income from unpaid floor rents. However the PDP insists that due course of and political neutrality should not be sacrificed within the title of income assortment.
The drama units the stage for a doable authorized and political face-off between the opposition and the FCT administration, led by former Rivers Governor and now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike—a former PDP stalwart turned key participant within the present APC-led federal authorities.
