FCTA Warns Abuja Hotels, Event Centres Against Hosting Unrecognised Political Factions
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has warned owners of hotels, event centres and other public facilities in Abuja against allowing their premises to be used by political factions or organisations not recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The administration stated that any property found hosting gatherings organised by unrecognised groups could face severe sanctions, including the revocation of its land title.
The warning was issued on Friday in a statement by Lere Olayinka, media aide to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
According to the statement, the FCTA said land allocations within the Federal Capital Territory are meant for lawful activities and that authorities would intensify monitoring of public facilities to ensure compliance.
The administration explained that the move was aimed at safeguarding lives and property in Abuja while supporting ongoing efforts by security agencies to maintain peace and order in the nation’s capital.
The statement urged owners of event centres, hotels and similar facilities to verify the legal status of organisations seeking to use their venues and to keep proper records of all transactions.
The FCTA specifically advised facility owners to engage only with the leadership of political parties officially recognised by INEC, especially as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections gather momentum.
It warned that failure to comply with the directive could result in the withdrawal of title documents for affected properties.
The warning comes just days before a special national convention planned by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki.
The faction intends to ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
Although the FCTA did not directly mention the venue of the event, political observers believe the directive may affect plans by the Turaki-led faction to hold its gathering at the A-Class Event Centre in Wuse 2, Abuja.
The PDP is currently divided into two factions. One faction, led by Abdulrahman Mohammed and recognised by INEC, is reportedly backed by Wike and has nominated former Senator Sandy Onor as its presidential candidate. The rival faction, led by Turaki, has adopted Jonathan as its preferred candidate.
Reacting to the FCTA’s warning, the Turaki faction insisted that its convention would proceed as scheduled.
The faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, alleged that the management of the event centre had informed them of threats to shut down the facility if the gathering was allowed to take place.
Ememobong said the faction had fulfilled all contractual obligations for the venue and had also notified relevant security agencies about the event.
He maintained that there was no legal basis for preventing the convention and argued that no law grants the FCT Minister the authority to decide which political meetings can be held or where they can take place.
Despite the controversy, the faction reaffirmed that the special convention to ratify Jonathan’s candidacy would hold on Saturday at the A-Class Event Centre in Abuja.
The group described any attempt to stop the gathering as an attack on democratic principles and political opposition.
