The Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and New Media to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, has disclosed that many members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are unaware that the party’s long-claimed national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, is not actually owned by them. Speaking on Arise Television's “The Morning Show” on March 25, 2025, Olayinka revealed that even he was unaware of this fact until recently.
Wadata Plaza, located in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, has long been regarded as the headquarters of the PDP. However, the building’s ownership has come into question following recent developments. The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who is also a member of the PDP, recently took the drastic step of revoking the land title for Wadata Plaza. The revocation followed the party's failure to settle the ground rent for the property, and the title for the party’s incomplete national secretariat in the Central Area Business District of Abuja was also rescinded.
This decision has sparked outrage among PDP leaders, who argue that it is a politically motivated action aimed at weakening the opposition party. They believe that the current administration under President Bola Tinubu is attempting to undermine the PDP’s influence.
However, Olayinka defended the revocation, emphasizing that Wadata Plaza does not belong to the PDP. He clarified that the property is actually owned by former Senate leader, Senator Samaila Mamman. According to Olayinka, this revelation came as a surprise to many, including himself. “Wadata does not belong to the PDP; most members don’t know. I did not even know until two weeks ago,” Olayinka said.
He further explained that in 2005, the PDP attempted to purchase the building from Senator Mamman. However, when the party approached the then Minister of the FCT, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, they were informed that a payment of ₦26.9 million was required. At the time, the PDP, then the ruling party, failed to come up with the necessary funds to complete the purchase.
Olayinka shared the details of this exchange, recounting that the PDP’s leadership, under Chairman Vincent Ogbulafor, wrote to El-Rufai to request his consent for the property purchase. In response, the minister insisted that the party must pay the ₦26.9 million fee, a sum that the PDP claimed was too high. Olayinka pointed out the irony of the ruling party at the time, which was unable to pay such an amount despite being in power. El-Rufai remained firm, just as Wike has been in taking action now.
With the official revocation of the land title, Olayinka concluded that the building now rightfully belongs to Senator Samaila Mamman, bringing to light a long-hidden truth about the ownership of Wadata Plaza.
Source; naijanews
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