“Host Any ‘Unapproved’ Political Group, Lose Your Property — FCTA Fires Warning To Abuja Hotels”
By Passman Akpos
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has directed owners of hotels, event centres and other public facilities in Abuja to transact only with leaderships of political parties officially recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The administration also warned that any property used for gatherings of organisations it described as illegal could face severe sanctions, including the revocation of title documents.
The directive was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
According to the statement, the move is part of broader efforts by the FCTA to strengthen security across the Federal Capital Territory and prevent public facilities from being used for activities capable of threatening peace and public order.
“In view of the need to further ensure the security of lives and properties in the FCT and sustain the efforts of security agencies in this regard, usage of Event Centres, Hotels and other public buildings will now be closely monitored,” the statement read.
“This is aimed at ensuring that they are not used by illegal organizations for gatherings capable of disrupting the peace of the nation’s capital.”
The administration stressed that lands and properties allocated within the FCT are meant strictly for lawful purposes and warned operators against allowing their premises to host unauthorised political or social groups.
The FCTA particularly advised owners of hotels and event centres to verify the legitimacy of political groups seeking to use their facilities, especially as political activities intensify ahead of future elections.
“For instance, in this political season, owners of Event Centres and Hotels in particular must ensure that they only deal with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognised leadership of political parties in respect of the use of their facilities, and proper records of transactions must be kept,” the statement added.
The administration warned that any violation of the directive could attract harsh consequences.
“Failure to comply with this directive will result to revocation of the title documents such properties,” the statement stated.
Although the FCTA did not mention any specific organisation or political movement linked to the warning, the administration maintained that the directive was necessary to preserve law and order within the nation’s capital.
The announcement is already generating debate among political observers and civil society groups, with some raising concerns over possible implications for freedom of association and political activities in Abuja.
