The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to owners of hotels, event centres and other public facilities in Abuja, declaring that any property used to host illegal political meetings or gatherings by unrecognized groups risks losing its land title.
The directive, announced through the Federal Capital Territory Administration, comes amid rising political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections and growing concerns over security in the nation’s capital. According to the administration, facilities operating within the FCT must ensure that their premises are not used for activities capable of threatening public peace, law and order.
Wike’s administration stated that land allocations within the FCT are meant strictly for lawful purposes and warned that event centres, hotels and public buildings would now be subjected to closer monitoring by authorities. The government maintained that any facility found to have hosted meetings organized by groups considered illegal or political factions not recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could face severe sanctions, including the revocation of its title documents. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The FCTA also urged operators of public facilities to conduct proper checks on organizations seeking to rent their venues. Owners have been advised to verify the legal status of such groups and keep adequate records of all transactions, especially during the ongoing political season. Officials stressed that compliance with the directive is necessary to support security agencies working to maintain stability and prevent activities that could disrupt peace in Abuja.
The warning has generated significant political attention because it comes at a time when a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party reportedly plans to hold a special convention in Abuja to ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election. Reports indicate that the faction, led by Kabiru Turaki, intends to hold the gathering despite not being recognized by INEC, a development many observers believe prompted the latest move by the FCTA.
The Turaki-led faction has, however, rejected the warning and insisted that its planned convention will proceed as scheduled. Party representatives argued that all necessary arrangements had been completed, payments made to the venue, and security agencies duly informed. They described any attempt to prevent the event as an attack on democratic rights and freedom of association.
As political tensions continue to build ahead of the next election cycle, Wike’s latest directive signals a tougher stance by the FCT administration on gatherings it considers unlawful. The development is expected to fuel further debate over security, political freedoms and the role of government authorities in regulating political activities within the nation’s capital.
