The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a stern directive to owners of hotels and event centres in Abuja, ordering them to deny access to any political party faction not formally recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Announced on Friday, the administration warned that properties failing to comply with the new regulation will face the immediate revocation of their title documents.
The directive was made public through a statement by Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. “Owners of Event Centres and Hotels in particular must ensure that they only deal with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognized leadership of political parties in respect of the use of their facilities, and proper records of transactions must be kept,” Olayinka stated.
He emphasized that non-compliance would result in severe property penalties, framing the crackdown as a necessary security measure to prevent gatherings capable of disrupting the peace of the nation’s capital.
This sweeping mandate effectively empowers venue owners—and by extension, the FCTA—to regulate which political groups can lawfully assemble in Abuja.
Critics are already pointing out that the move could tilt the political playing field, as it restricts the movement of factions currently contesting for control within major political entities.
By tying venue access to official INEC recognition, the administration is taking a hardline stance on public gatherings just as political activities begin to intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The controversial order arrives at a highly sensitive time for Nigeria’s political landscape, with major opposition formations like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party deeply embroiled in parallel leadership tussles and court battles.
As various factions vie for legitimate control of their respective party structures, INEC recognition has emerged as the ultimate decisive factor.
This new FCTA policy directly injects the capital’s real estate and hospitality sectors into the heart of these ongoing internal party crises.
