Prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has cautioned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against moving forward with plans to seal off embassies and foreign missions in Abuja over unpaid ground rents, stressing that such actions could trigger diplomatic fallout.

Speaking during an appearance on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, Falana stated that the minister’s proposed action violates international law, particularly the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

“Embassies and missions cannot be invaded because they have not paid ground rent, which is not applicable for all of them,” Falana said, highlighting that diplomatic properties are shielded from such enforcement measures.

The warning follows the FCT Administration’s decision to publish the names of over 9,000 property owners, among them foreign missions, who allegedly owe ground rent, urging them to pay or risk forfeiture.

As part of its drive, the administration began sealing off several properties, including the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after giving defaulters a 14-day grace period starting May 23, 2025.

That deadline expired on Friday, June 6, a public holiday for Eid celebrations, leaving many wondering about the administration’s next steps post-holiday.

Falana warned that international diplomatic norms must be respected, citing both domestic and international legal protections for diplomatic buildings.

“As far as the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations is concerned, the premises of any embassy in Abuja are inviolable by Article 22 of the convention,” he said.

“If we embark on invading the embassy of any country, it’s going to lead to serious diplomatic problems for Nigeria. So, it is not allowed,” he cautioned.

In addition to international treaties, Falana underscored the constitutional implications of sealing properties without due process.

“The minister cannot order that a house be sealed up because the right to a fair hearing is guaranteed by Section 36 of the Constitution and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights Act.”

“What this implies is that before you can take action against me, you must give me the right to make a representation,” he added.

The senior advocate also pointed out that Nigerian courts have consistently ruled against arbitrary property sealing, noting, “There are about 20 high court, appeal court, and Supreme Court decisions that ruled that the FCT authorities have no right to unilaterally seal up any property within the nation’s capital.”

Falana urged key government officials to intervene immediately to prevent further complications.

“I expect the Minister of Foreign Affairs to have intervened. I also expect the Attorney General of the Federation to intervene,” he said.

He reiterated that legal processes must be followed in resolving ground rent disputes.

“The rule of law must be allowed to operate. Yes, people are owing. Too bad! But if you want to collect your money, you must go to court,” he advised.

“There is a tribunal in Abuja, Urban and Regional Planning Tribunal constituted by five members from the building industry.”

“That is the body that has the final say on demolition and attempts to seal up properties. In other words, anybody who is aggrieved by the threat to seal up a property is advised to go to court. We are operating a democracy,” Falana concluded.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has convened a strategic meeting with prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the banner of the Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP, in a bid to resist the party’s upcoming national convention scheduled for August 28.

The gathering, held on Monday, brought together influential figures within the PDP, including members of the G5 group and other party loyalists, with a firm resolve to prevent the party from what they described as further decline.

The national convention, proposed by PDP governors during a meeting in April in Ibadan, is intended to elect a new National Working Committee (NWC).

However, Monday’s meeting, according to insiders, was aimed at galvanizing opposition to the plan.

While it is unclear if Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, a member of the G5, was invited, his G5 colleagues Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) were all in attendance. Also present were PDP National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, former Senate Minority Leader Philip Aduda, current and former federal and state lawmakers, zonal leaders, and state party executives.

Addressing the gathering, Wike emphasized that those present were dedicated to reviving and safeguarding the future of the PDP.

“All of you here are those who are committed to the survival of our party not just on TV talking or on the newspapers talking but committed to the party at the various levels,” he said.

Wike credited the G5 governors with stabilizing the country during a politically turbulent period, despite widespread criticism.

“Today, this country is stabilised because of the activities of the G5 governors. You may like us, you may hate us, the truth of the matter is if G5 did not take the decision we took, this country would have been in crisis.”

“It doesn’t matter who the beneficiary was but the right thing had to be done and we still stand by that decision.”

He criticized the PDP leadership for ignoring critical advice, which he believes led to the party’s current struggles.

“If the party had listened to what we said, we won’t have been where we are today and we have continued to sound it to the party, let the constitution of the party and of the country be respected.”

“That, as an opposition party, we cannot continue to act with impunity. No opposition party acts with impunity.”

“Ours is to continue to placate people and bring them together, not to say they should go to hell. Let us not allow greed, let us not allow ego to kill our party.”

Wike also questioned the ongoing controversy over the position of the national secretary, pointing out precedents that suggest inconsistency in the party’s application of its rules.

He referenced Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, saying, “He was the chairman of the party in the state and he did not resign before contesting for governorship but only went back to resign after winning the election.”

Similarly, he noted that, “The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ibrahim Abdullahi, also contested for the Kebbi State governorship and that he retained his seat, even after losing the election.”

Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom also spoke at the meeting, defending Wike’s contribution to the party and suggesting his influence was unmatched.

“He who pays the piper dictates the tune,” Ortom declared.

“Challenge anyone in Nigeria to tell Nigerians whoever had contributed to the growth of the PDP more than Wike.”

Ortom further added, “For whatever reason, PDP made a lot of mistakes and we are where we are today.”

He also linked Wike’s appointment by President Bola Tinubu as FCT Minister to national interest, arguing, “The president understood that the country could not be a one-party state, which was why he appointed Wike into a very sensitive position as FCT minister.”

As at the time of filing this report, the stakeholders’ meeting was still in progress behind closed doors.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday hosted a crucial meeting in Abuja with stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the banner of “Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP.”

The gathering concluded with a strong demand that the party zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South.

The high-level meeting, which lasted several hours, produced a communique calling for greater internal democracy and adherence to party principles.

The group also insisted that the party’s acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, and the National Secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu, issue a notice for a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

Wike, who read the communique, emphasized the group’s demand for fairness and balance in the party’s future plans.

“In the spirit of fairness, inclusion, federal character principles and respect for our party constitution, the Party must make an unequivocal pronouncement zoning its presidential candidate to the South in the 2027 elections after the unbroken years of Northern President under President Muhammadu Buhari,” he stated.

The communique also stressed that “only the National Secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu, can issue notices of meeting of the National Convention, National Executive Committee, National Caucus and the National Working Committee and to this end all notices not issued by him and actions founded on them, including correspondences to INEC are null and void and of no effect whatsoever.”

While it remained unclear if Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, a key G5 member, was present, his G5 colleagues—former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia)—attended, along with Senator Anyanwu, former Senate Minority Leader Philip Aduda, and other serving and former lawmakers and party executives.

The stakeholders condemned what they described as persistent disregard for the PDP constitution, citing sections 36(1)(a)(b)(c), 47(3)(5), and 48(1)(i), as well as a Supreme Court ruling on the position of National Secretary.

They warned of imminent collapse if the party fails to act decisively.

“The Eminent Stakeholders and Concerned Leaders are alarmed that the party is on an inevitable path to self-annihilation if urgent steps are not taken to rein in the desperate, divisive and selfish tendencies that brought the party to its knees in the lead-up to the 2023 election,” the communique read.

They reaffirmed Senator Anyanwu as the legitimate National Secretary and called for a proper NEC meeting in accordance with party rules.

“It is clear from the Constitution that only the National Convention, properly and duly constituted, can remove Senator Sam Anyanwu”

“We therefore demand that the Acting National Chairman and the National Secretary jointly issue a notice to INEC with an attached agenda for the National Executive Committee Meeting of the Party being the only pathway to abide by extant laws.”

The group urged party members to resist efforts to destabilize the PDP and backed the reconciliation efforts led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki.

“We, the stakeholders, reiterate our commitment to our great party and urge all members to uphold the rule of law, respect constitutional mandate, resist all machinations aimed at destabilizing the party and support the efforts of the National Reconciliation Committee headed by His Excellency, Senator Bukola Saraki.”

Earlier in the meeting, Wike welcomed attendees by stressing their commitment to the party’s future.

“All of you here are those who are committed to the survival of our party not just on TV talking or on the newspapers talking but committed to the party at the various levels.”

He credited the G5 governors with stabilizing the country through tough decisions.

“You may like us, you may hate us. The truth of the matter is if G5 did not take the decision we took, this country would have been in crisis. It doesn’t matter who the beneficiary was but the right thing had to be done and we still stand by that decision.”

Criticizing impunity within the party, Wike added, “If the party had listened to what we said, we won’t have been where we are today… Let us not allow greed, let us not allow ego to kill our party.”

He also questioned the controversy over the National Secretary role, citing precedents.

“Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State was the chairman of the party in the state and he did not resign before contesting for Governorship but only went back to resign after winning the election”

“The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ibrahim Abdullahi, also contested for the Kebbi state governorship and retained his seat even after losing the election.”

Former Governor Ortom lent strong support to Wike, saying, “He who pays the piper dictates the tune.”

He challenged critics to name anyone who had done more for the PDP than Wike and added, “The president understands that the country cannot be a one-party state which was why he appointed Wike into a very sensitive position as the FCT minister.”

He concluded bluntly: “For whatever reason, PDP made a lot of mistakes and we are where we are today.”

Nyesom Wike

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to prevent Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, from going ahead with plans to close 34 foreign embassies in Abuja over unpaid ground rents.

In a statement released via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, SERAP warned that the proposed action would violate international diplomatic protocols, especially Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

This article provides for the inviolability of diplomatic premises and explicitly forbids their seizure or closure by host countries.

“President Tinubu should urgently caution and direct the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to immediately withdraw the threat to close down 34 embassies in Abuja.”

“The purported threat is contrary to the provisions of Article 22 of the Vienna Convention,” SERAP stated.

According to the FCT Administration, foreign missions collectively owe more than ₦3.6 billion in ground rents, some of which date back to 2014.

Minister Wike had previously threatened to revoke 4,794 land titles and take enforcement action against embassies and other defaulting property owners.

To address the situation, President Tinubu intervened on May 26 by issuing a 14-day grace period for embassies and institutions to settle their debts.

That period expired on Monday, June 9, raising fears that enforcement could begin immediately.

The Vienna Convention, which Nigeria is a signatory to, states that “the premises of the mission shall be inviolable,” as specified in Paragraph 1 of Article 22.

Furthermore, Paragraph 3 stipulates that embassy properties, vehicles, and other assets are immune from seizure or enforcement procedures by host nations.

While some institutions, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), have reportedly cleared their debts, several embassies have challenged the FCT’s claims.

The Russian Embassy, for instance, denied owing rent and asserted it had full documentation of its payments.

Similarly, representatives from the Turkish and German embassies stated they were unaware of any official notification and suggested their inclusion on the defaulters list could be a bureaucratic mistake.

Other embassies named by the FCT Administration include those of Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Thailand, the Philippines, Congo, Venezuela, South Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, Zambia, Iraq, the Netherlands, Ireland, Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Tanzania, Saudi Arabia, and Guinea.

Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Land at the FCT Administration, noted that penalty fees ranging from ₦2 million to ₦3 million, depending on the location, have also been applied to the debts.

Aliyu Audu, who served as the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Public Affairs, has stepped down from his role, raising concerns about the direction of the current administration.

In a resignation letter dated June 8, 2025, and submitted via the Chief of Staff, Audu stated that his departure takes immediate effect.

He thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, calling his time in office an honour and a privilege.

However, beyond the formalities, Audu voiced deep unease about recent political decisions, particularly the growing alliance between President Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

According to him, the pact poses a threat to the health of Nigeria’s democracy.

While his letter remained courteous, sources close to the former aide say his exit reflects broader frustrations within certain circles of the administration over what they see as compromises that could erode democratic ideals.