Leading Reporters

In a stunning move, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has officially revoked the land allocation for the new Secretariat of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the Central Area of Abuja. The decision, announced earlier today, is expected to have significant political and administrative repercussions.

Political analysts have suggested that the move could signal a deepening rift between the ruling administration and the opposition party, especially as the 2027 general elections approach. It remains unclear what legal recourse the PDP will pursue, but the political landscape in Abuja is likely to be further complicated by this latest development.

The FCT Administration has yet to confirm any plans for the reallocation of the land, but sources within the government suggest that the site may be repurposed for other public or developmental use.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on the PDP’s next move, as well as the political implications of Wike’s decision on the upcoming electoral cycle.

According to a statement released by the FCT Administration, the land allocation for the PDP’s proposed new headquarters, which had been a subject of controversy since its approval, has now been rescinded. The Minister cited “inconsistent documentation and non-compliance with regulatory procedures” as primary reasons for the revocation.

Wike, who has been at the forefront of several administrative reforms in the FCT, emphasized that the move aligns with his administration’s commitment to transparency and the enforcement of land-use policies in the capital. “The decision was taken in the interest of the public good and to uphold the integrity of our land administration system,” Wike said in a brief statement to the press.

The revocation of the PDP’s new Secretariat land comes as a surprise to many, considering the proximity of the land to the heart of Abuja’s political and commercial districts. The PDP had previously lauded the land allocation as a major step toward consolidating its administrative presence in the nation’s capital.
In response, the PDP condemned the action, describing it as politically motivated and an attempt to undermine the party’s growth and operations. “This decision is an outright attack on the PDP and an attempt to stifle the opposition in the country,” the party said in a statement, vowing to challenge the revocation in court.

The United States will close its Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos on Monday, February 17, 2025, to mark Presidents’ Day.

The diplomatic mission announced that normal operations will resume on Tuesday, February 18.

A statement posted on X on Sunday by the diplomatic mission confirmed the closure and assured the public that normal operations would resume the following day.

Presidents’ Day is observed every third Monday of February in the U.S. to honour past and present leaders.

Nigerian applicants seeking visa to Thailand can now apply for e-visa online, the Royal Thailand Embassy, Abuja, has said.  

The embassy said it no longer accepts physical applications. 

Apart from Nigeria, the new policy also applies to other African countries such as Ghana. Cameron, Benin Republic, Congo, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of Sao Tome, and Principe and Republic of Chad. 

In a statement, the embassy said applicants must be residing within the aforementioned countries when applying for the visa. 

It explained that it had the right to cancel the visa applications of any applicant should such fail to provide the evidence of their presence within the aforementioned countries while applying. 

“Travel booking confirmation must be provided upon submission of your visa application. This includes return flight details showing applicant’s name, departure and return date, all flights en route from the aforementioned countries to Thailand. Upon receiving your application, it takes within 5 working days to get your visa. The processing time can take longer in certain cases,” the embassy said in the statement. 

According to the embassy, applicants are expected to apply at least four to six weeks before their travel date but not more than three months before departure date.  

It further noted that the visa fee was non-refundable regardless of the outcome, noting that the processing fee was prone to change without prior notice 

The embassy added that it reserved the rights to request additional documents, interview in person in Abuja, and amend visa categories as deemed necessary as well as reject any without prejudice. 

The embassy, however, advised visa applicants to provide genuine documents and information, stressing that actions would be taken if applicants provided false or fake information.