The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has broken its silence following the sealing of its national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
The main opposition party held an emergency caucus meeting, Monday evening at the Bauchi Governors’ Lodge in Abuja.
Addressing newsmen after the meeting, Acting National Chairman Umar Iliya Damagum said the action was politically motivated and unjustifiable.
“They should come and arrest all of us,” Damagum declared defiantly. “We will not take this lightly. This is a clear attempt to undermine democracy, and we will hold them accountable.”
The FCTA sealed Wadata Plaza earlier in the day over what it cited as 28 years of unpaid ground rent. But the PDP says the action was orchestrated to intimidate and destabilize the opposition ahead of critical national decisions.
If they are encouraging such actions, we do not take it lightly. They are attempting to undermine democracy, and this is completely unacceptable. 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 said.
The closure forced the PDP to relocate its operations to the Bauchi Governors’ Lodge, where the emergency meeting was convened.
Meanwhile, a special committee has been set up to investigate the matter and report back to the caucus.
“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,” Damagum announced.
The recent developments come amid tension with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike who recently pledged to “fight for justice” within the party.
But barely few hours of sealing the secretariat, President Tinubu gave order of its reopening with other properties sealed by Wike-led administration in FCT.