nPDP Office Sealed Again By Police

For the second time, the secretariat of the breakaway faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) headed by Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje temporarily located at the Adamawa State Governor’s Lodge in the highbrow Asokoro area of Abuja has been sealed off.

On September 9, the Police allegedly acting on ‘orders from above’ had sealed off the first secretariat of the faction located on 4, Oyi Crescent, off Ibrahim Babangida Boulevard, Maitama.

Explaining the reason behind the latest action, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration said the abuse of the Abuja Master Plan occasioned by turning the Lodge into a party office necessitated the closure of the Lodge.

A statement issued by the Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Nosike Ogbuenyi said, “The entire Governor’s Lodges in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja are enshrined in the Abuja Master Plan to be for residential purposes but not for political party secretariat as Adamawa State Governor’s Lodge is currently being used.

“The Governor’s Lodge as it is today is being used as a political party office thereby negating the spirit of urban planning and causing untold hardship on the residents dwelling in that area of the city, as well as inflicting undue pressure on the infrastructure and services therein, contrary to the principles of the Abuja Master Plan.”

The FCT Administration said it will not rest on its oars until the entire 250 square kilometers of the Federal Capital City is rid of all illegal structures and/or illegal change of Land Use.

“It may be noted that any change of Land Use is usually accompanied with over-stretching of facilities planned for certain number of people; apart from also causing high volume of traffic with its attendant problems.

“The Administration wishes to assure that all actions by a person or group of persons that inflicts pains on the residents whether directly or indirectly would not be condoned as government is meant to serve and protect the rights of all. The FCDA will continue to protect the Abuja environment and the sanctity of the Abuja Master Plan in line with the dreams of its founding fathers; believing that such plans were meant to be obeyed and adhered to.”

In his reaction to the latest development, the National Publicity Secretary of the new PDP, Chukwuemeka Eze said, “We are aware of the seal-off of our office. We are studying the situation and will react appropriately.”