Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has stated that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) does not own Wadata Plaza, as the party has failed to pay the required N26.9 million ground rent since 2005.
In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Olayinka dismissed claims by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, that the revocation of the plaza’s land title was an attack on democracy.
He described Ologunagba as the most ineffective spokesperson the party has ever had.
According to Olayinka, Wike remains a PDP member but has no role in its administration.
He explained that it is the responsibility of those managing the party to handle its financial obligations.
He also expressed surprise at comments from Chief Bode George, a former PDP leader, who was in a key position when the rent issue was ignored.
Olayinka revealed that many PDP members, including himself, were unaware that Wadata Plaza was never officially transferred to the party.
He explained that the building belongs to Senator Samaila Mamman Kurfi. While PDP had expressed interest in buying it in 2005, the party failed to meet the financial requirements.
He further stated that the party had approached then-FCT Minister Nasir El-Rufai to approve the transaction, but when asked to pay N26.9 million in fees, PDP claimed it lacked the funds.
He added that despite being in power at the time, the party never completed the process, leaving ownership with Kurfi.
Olayinka criticized Ologunagba’s position, arguing that PDP’s leadership should know that the property does not legally belong to the party.
Refuting allegations that Wike was undermining PDP, Olayinka maintained that the minister was carrying out his duties in service to the Nigerian government, not the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He emphasized that PDP members in government were working for the nation rather than for any political party.