The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned the Federal Government following the sudden sealing of its national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

The party described the move as a “brazen abuse of power” and “a reckless attempt to undermine democracy,” citing it as part of a broader political clampdown.

The FCTA reportedly shut down the building over unpaid ground rent accumulating for 28 years.

However, PDP leaders dismissed the action as politically motivated, especially given the sensitive timing amid deepening internal divisions and high-stakes strategic meetings within the opposition party.

Following the development, the party convened an emergency caucus meeting Monday evening at the Bauchi Governors’ Lodge in Abuja, where it temporarily relocated operations.

Speaking after the meeting, Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, decried the government’s actions.

“This is a clear attempt to undermine democracy, and we will hold them accountable. They could come and arrest all of us—we are prepared,” Damagum declared.

“If they are encouraging such actions, we do not take it lightly. This is a clear example of the irresponsibility exhibited by this government. We condemn this act in the strongest terms. It is a reckless display of irresponsibility, and we will not tolerate it.”

Damagum also stated that the party would ensure Nigerians fully understand the implications of what he described as executive overreach and political intimidation.

“We are putting Nigerians on notice. This is not about ground rent; this is about silencing opposition voices and crippling democratic institutions,” he added.

The emergency meeting, which started at 5:30 PM, was convened not only in response to the sealing of the party headquarters but also to address escalating internal crises. Key among these is the ongoing feud between the party leadership and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, a former PDP stalwart.

Wike recently pulled out of reconciliation efforts and accused prominent party leaders—including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde—of dishonesty in negotiations. A party insider told Vanguard under anonymity:

“The BoT is trying to sort out the issues with Wike. He pulled out of the peace talks and accused leaders like Seyi Makinde of not being truthful.”

The worsening internal crisis has prompted fears over the PDP’s stability and electoral viability as Nigeria inches closer to crucial off-cycle elections and prepares for national political realignments.

Present at the emergency meeting were several PDP governors and influential party figures including:

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State (Chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum),

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State,

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu,

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa,

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa,

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara,

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun, and

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau.

Also in attendance were former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi, PDP BoT member Ben Obi, retired Navy Commodore Bode George, and other key stakeholders.

As the party grapples with both internal and external pressures, the PDP leadership has adjourned its caucus meeting until Tuesday morning. Damagum confirmed that a small committee has been constituted to present findings and recommendations for a way forward.

“We have just adjourned today’s meeting until tomorrow at 10 o’clock. A small committee has been established to present a report tomorrow morning, and we will resume discussions from there,” he said.

Meanwhile, the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) is reportedly considering postponing the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday to allow more time for internal mediation and coordination.

The sealing of Wadata Plaza, a longstanding symbol of the PDP’s dominance in Nigeria’s political history, has drawn public scrutiny not only over its political implications but also regarding the party’s financial management and operational integrity.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service has said it was wrong for the Federal Capital Territory Administration to shut down one of its offices in Abuja, stating that no amount is being owed as ground rent

The agency described the action as “malicious” and “unprofessional.”

In a statement released via X (formerly Twitter), Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the FIRS Executive Chairman, accused the FCTA of unfairly targeting the agency.

He said it is highly unprofessional the Wike-led FCTA to close its office, disrupting members of staff from performing their duties when it has done nothing wrong.

She said, “It is highly unprofessional of the Wike-led FCTA to close our office, disrupting staff from performing their duties when we have done nothing wrong, especially during a crucial week as we prepare to sign the Tax Reform Bills. FCTA, you have erred gravely; FIRS owes you nothing,” Atoyebi asserted.

She further accused the FCTA of attempting to use FIRS as a scapegoat, adding, “If you are looking for a fall guy, look elsewhere. We should not be your scapegoat when you know full well that the falsehoods you spread in the media and your malicious, illegal actions will harm our operations.”

Atoyebi maintained that the agency has no outstanding rent payments to the FCTA for the past 25 years and insisted that all obligations had been settled up to 2023.

“We have the evidence,” she emphasised, pushing back against claims of indebtedness.

According to her, the incident comes at a critical juncture for Nigeria’s tax system, with major reform legislation expected to be finalised soon.

She warned that such disruptions could undermine public confidence and delay the implementation of key fiscal policies.

The Nigerian police have filed a lawsuit against Abuja-based lawyers, Victor Giwa and Ibitade Bukola, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting at Apo, Abuja, over allegations bordering on forgery and impersonation.

In the suit, marked CR/150/25 and filed by the police boss, Giwa and Bukola are facing a three-count charge, bordering on conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.

The defendants were accused of conspiring among themselves to forge a legal document purportedly issued by a chambers belonging to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Awa U. Kalu, aimed at misleading the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.

According to the prosecution, both Giwa and Bukola on June 28, 2024 forged and signed a letter on the official letterhead of the chambers, requesting the AGF to suspend a scheduled arraignment of Giwa before Justice Samira Nature, also of the High Court of the FCT, sitting at Maitama, Abuja, scheduled for July 2, 2024.

They were alleged to have written the contentious letter on the letterhead of Awa U Kalu’s Chambers, titled, “Urgent and Solemn Appeal to Suspend the Arraignment of Our Colleague Victor Giwa Esq on Charge Number CR/222/2023”, and addressed to the AGF.

The purported letter, according to the prosecution, sought the AGF’s intervention to halt Giwa’s arraignment alongside others before Justice Bature and withdrawal of charges against him in the interest of “natural justice, equity, and fair play”.

Giwa, alongside Cecil Osakwe Giwa, a property owner and Edith Erhunmwuse, were billed to be arraigned on a nine-count charge bordering on alleged illegal eviction, criminal intimidation, threat to life, and property damage amounting to N300 million before Justice Bature.

The police alleged the offences committed by both Giwa and Bukola are punishable under Sections 97, 364 and 179 of the Penal Code Act, 2004.

Meanwhile, at the scheduled arraignment of Giwa and his co-defendant today (Monday), proceedings were stalled as both of them were absent in court.

U.J. Udoh, who represented the defendants, informed the court that Giwa was bereaved, having lost two sisters, adding that he had travelled to his village to make arrangements for the burial of the deceased.

She, therefore, prayed the court for an adjournment to enable Giwa bury his sisters and be ready for the arraignment

Prosecuting counsel, J.K. Kolawole, who held the brief of Erasto Asaph, did not object to the application for adjournment.

The presiding judge, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, while adjourning the case to September 15, warned that no further excuses will be entertained at the next sitting

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, on Monday, inaugurated a 12-member ministerial committee to oversee the technical assessment, completion planning, and disposal strategy for a 753-unit housing estate recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Lokogoma District, Abuja.

The estate, recently handed over to the ministry in line with a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is among assets confiscated by the EFCC in connection with corruption cases and is now set to be converted into liveable, affordable housing for Nigerians under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Speaking during the formal inauguration of the committee in Abuja, Dangiwa described the initiative as a strategic effort by the Federal Government to quickly transform recovered assets into functional public infrastructure.

“It is with a deep sense of duty and commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, that I welcome you all to this important occasion,” the minister stated.

“Nigerians are watching, and they want to see results. They want to see homes built and allocated transparently. They want to see the government working for them.”

The committee, chaired by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Shuaib Belgore, is tasked with conducting a thorough structural and integrity assessment of the estate, evaluating the value of existing work, determining the cost of completing infrastructure and amenities, and recommending a transparent disposal strategy.

Other members of the committee include Mr Funsho Alabi, Director, Office of the Permanent Secretary – Alternate Chairman; Temitope Pemi, Director, Public Building and Housing Development – Secretary; Collins Alabi, Director, Lands and Housing Development; Engr. Hikmat Toyin Aderibigbe, Director, Engineering Services; and Margaret Ojewemimo Adejobi, Director, Urban and Regional Planning.

Others are: Okobiah Koriotaa Boyton, Director, Procurement; Ibechille Christopher Egwudale, Director, Federal Public Asset Maintenance; Mr Osondu Peter, Director, Finance and Accounts; Mr Haiba Badamasi, Director, Press and Public Relations; Mr Sanusi Dangiwa, Special Project Monitoring to the Minister; and

Kabir Dutse, Special Assistant Technical to the Minister of State.

The committee is expected to submit a preliminary report within four weeks.

Its Terms of Reference include the development of standardised architectural and finishing guidelines, a disposal plan aligned with affordability and equity goals, a robust public engagement strategy, and inter-agency coordination with stakeholders like the EFCC, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), and utility providers.

Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, in his remarks, emphasised the magnitude of the assignment and suggested that the committee be allowed to co-opt additional experts to support its work.

In his vote of thanks, Belgore assured that the committee would carry out its responsibilities with “technical competence, transparency, and urgency”, noting that its success would provide a replicable model for converting seized public assets into housing infrastructure that meets national development goals

Nigerian sprint hurdler, Tobi Amusan, stormed to victory in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Rabat Diamond League on Sunday, setting a new meet record of 12.45 seconds.

Amusan’s performance eclipsed the previous meet record of 12.51 seconds set by American Brianna McNeal in 2018, making it a standout achievement for the 2022 World Champion and record holder.

The race, which took place just before the main broadcast of the meet, saw Amusan dominate the field, pulling away decisively from the rest of the competitors. Her time of 12.45 seconds also stands as her season’s best (SB).

Close behind was Nadine Visser of the Netherlands, who clocked a season’s best of 12.67 seconds to finish second. Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska came third with a season’s best of 12.69 seconds.

Other athletes who recorded impressive performances include Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji (12.71s SB), Italy’s Giada Carmassi (12.81s PB), Elena Carraro (12.89s), Destiny Huven of the USA (12.93s), France’s Sacha Alessandrini (12.96s SB), and Austria’s Karin Strametz (13.08s SB). The wind reading for the race was +1.2.

Former Senate president and Chairman of a reconciliatory committee setup to look into the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Bukola Saraki has reacted to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike’s withdrawal from Internal Peace agreements.

Recall that Wike announced his decision to withdraw in a strong statement on Sunday, blaming Governors Seyi Makinde, Peter Mbah and Bala Mohammed as architects of the crisis in the Party.

Reacting to the development through his spokesperson, Yusuf Olaniyonu, Saraki disclosed that the reconciliatory committee will have to work harder to ensure the restoration of peace in the Party.

“Wike’s pulling out of the arrangement is not really a setback as you inferred. It’s just an indication that we still need to do more work and intensify more efforts.”

“A mediator cannot be seen reacting to every issue arising conflicts otherwise in the process of speaking, he may say something that the various parties may misintepret. Even in the first statement issued by Wike, you can see where he referred to his position in the reconciliation committee.”

He also warned that PDP must not be allowed to die otherwise the country will evolve into a one-party state.

“The alternative to PDP is one party state. The PDP goes beyond party. That is the only legacy party that is remaining. Out of the three parties with which we started this democracy, AD is gone, APP is gone.”

“So, this is the only legacy party. Allowing it to die will be a major setback for democracy”, he stated.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has sealed an Access Bank branch and a Total petrol station located in Wuse, Abuja, due to the non-payment of ground spanning 34 years.

This action is part of a broader enforcement initiative targeting property owners who have defaulted on their statutory obligations.

According to a letter sighted by DAILYPOST, the affected property is officially allocated to Rana Tahir Furniture Nigeria Limited, and not Access Bank directly. The letter, dated March 13, 2025, and signed by Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director, Land Administration, reads: 

“The Minister of Federal Capital Territory has in the exercise of powers conferred on him under the Land Use Act No. 6 of 1978, Cap. L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, revoked your rights, interests and privileges over Plot No. 2456 within Wuse I, Cadastral Zone A02, Abuja.” 

The FCTA cited continued default in ground rent payment as the reason for the revocation “The revocation is in view of your continued contravention of the terms and conditions of grant of the Right of Occupancy by failing to pay the annual ground rents due on the property for Thirty Four (34) years.”

The letter also stated that several notices and publications had been made since 2023, warning all allottees to clear outstanding bills.

The closures come in the wake of a significant crackdown by the FCTA, which recently revoked 4,794 land titles across Abuja’s prime districts—including Wuse, Maitama, Asokoro, and Garki—over unpaid ground rents spanning more than a decade. According to FCTA officials, a total of 8,375 property owners owe approximately ₦6.97 billion in ground rent arrears, some dating back over 40 years .

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, emphasized that the revocations were executed in accordance with Section 28(5) of the Land Use Act, which permits the government to reclaim land from titleholders who fail to meet the conditions of their occupancy rights.

A cryptocurrency investor has been charged with kidnapping and torturing an Italian man in a bid to steal his digital assets.

John Woeltz, 37, was arraigned in Manhattan after allegedly holding the 28-year-old victim captive for weeks in a $30,000-per-month SoHo townhouse. 

Prosecutors say Woeltz, along with accomplices, stole the man’s devices and passport, then beat, electrocuted, and threatened him at gunpoint to force him to reveal his crypto passwords.

The victim escaped on Friday and alerted police, who found Polaroid photos documenting the abuse.

Woeltz declined to speak with investigators, pleaded not guilty to four felony charges, including kidnapping for ransom, and was denied bail.

A 24-year-old woman was also arrested but later released without charges.

The case adds to growing global concerns over crypto-related kidnappings.

In France, high-profile investors have faced similar threats, prompting increased security.

In Uganda, Festo Ivaibi of Mitroplus Labs was abducted at gunpoint on May 17 and forced to transfer $500,000 in cryptocurrency.

His attackers, dressed as military personnel, also sold off part of his company’s meme coin under duress.

A band of well-armed kidnappers on Monday morning stormed Grow Homes estate within the Chikakore axis of Kubwa – Abuja’s largest suburban town – holding residents hostage for over an hour.

Vanguard gathered from terrified residents that the incident happened between 12am and 1:30am. 

One resident who confirmed seeing a man and a woman taken away by the kidnappers said at daybreak, the woman was later found within the estate, having been freed by her abductors for unknown reasons.

He, however, could not ascertain the number of persons kidnapped.

“The incident happened around 12am. Those guys were well-armed, and they overpowered the local vigilance team. The police came at about 1am, and there was a fierce exchange of gunfire for about 30 minutes.

“We are begging the government to fix this road for easy access for security patrol vehicles. We also beg the police and, of course, the FCT Administration to help site a station here for rapid response,” he said.

A few years back, one could walk into a party as an invited or uninvited guest, eat, drink and even go home with bags full of varieties of food, if he or she wishes.

But those days are gone. Today, the strained economy has affected such lifestyles. 

Very few people even get invited to parties now, as a few who can afford to host parties reduce the number of invitees and restrict access to the barest minimum.

But, in an economy that can eat it’s own people, such that Nigeria runs today, people also desperately design means to survive. In most circumstances, the means are not conventional. They are mostly woven around ‘the end justifies the means’ crude analogy

Certain that their little earnings cannot hold their families some average Nigerian households move into the towns, search for where parties are held, bribe the gate keepers and guest tenders alike, to feed themselves and even get packed remnants to serve them for the next day

This strategy according to those who spoke to Economy&Lifestyle work, because both the gatekeepers and guest tenders also suffer same fate. They have very lean and strained pockets.

An eye witness account, Mrs Alade Shodimu, shocked beyond marrows at the new development, said: “I find it difficult to describe what I witness in some parties today. I don’t know whether to put it on the bad economy or on the decayed moral fabrics. The situation where a woman leaves her house, goes to a party venue, bribe the men at the gate to enter the ceremony and also pay the food bearers to get take-away packs of food, defies sound principles; but it now happens regularly”.

Continuing, Shodimu, a lace fabrics merchant in Lagos Island, narrated: “I attended the child dedication ceremony of one of my customers recently in Ikeja. At first, I was shocked that my customer whom I knew to be flamboyant, only had a few guests and access to the venue was restricted to only those with invitation cards.

“However, little did I know a few Naira notes could ice cold gate keepers until a somewhat elegantly dressed woman behind me, opened her purse on approaching them and parted with a few rusty notes and they gave way.

“Seated not far from the woman, I observed her dressing was cheap though she appeared elegant. 

“But what shocked me most was when she beckoned on one of the party tenders, whispered into her ears and parted with another set of rusty notes. Just, a little while, after, the tender came with her food and even packed a take-away which the woman grabbed and went away.

“Meanwhile, my customer had earlier muttered to me, she did not invite the woman, and wondered how she accessed the party” she added.

Another account by Mr. Mayowa Lasisi, a civil servant, said: “I attended a party in Ijebu Ode. It was an outdoor party on a school field.

“But guests were advised to wear the asoebi so as to be treated well by the host.

“There was this woman beside me. As we were being served food she called the server and squeezed money into his hands.
“He returned with a polythene bag filled with what I don’t know. 

“Unfortunately, the host’s sister who was watching them, quickly accosted the woman and asked her to open her bag.

“A scuffle ensued when she resisted, and the bag tore with the contents splattering on the floor. It was then that the woman narrated her ordeal as a single mother of five who is scrambling to feed them.

“The food was meant to last them two days which was sufficient compared to what the N3000 she used to bribe her way can buy.

“I felt pity for the woman. It’s not her fault, rather that of the economy which has caused hunger in almost every home.
“It is not everyone who looks good that has a full stomach. Many are hungry.

“If she had begged, they probably wouldn’t even had allowed her in. 

“The struggle for survival is making people do the unthinkable The society that used to help the needy has turned against them.

“Low purchasing power resulting in high cost of living has robbed people of their dignity. Great lifestyles of the old are gone” he lamented

Economy&Lifestyle also discovered that even caterers are lamenting this menace.

According to them, it is eroding the trust party’ hosts’ have in their services.

Mrs. Omosewa Durotimi, a caterer complained bitterly about the development, saying: “This development is affecting us hugely. “Imagine when you are given money to cater for 50 guests in a party and only 35 out of the 50 have access to food.

“The remaining 15 portions have been served to party gate crashers, who tipped a server N1,000 to package various food for him or her.

“This incident happened to me recently and the host was bitter. She swore never to patronize me and even took back everyone she introduced to me.

“When I threatened my servers to arrest them, they brought out the culprit.

“This trend has made many caterers lose contracts worth millions because of the greedy nature of servers.
“This is one among many other things we are facing.”