The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned owners of hotels, event centres and other public facilities in Abuja against allowing their premises to be used by what he described as illegal organisations and unrecognised political groups.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka.
According to the statement, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) said it would closely monitor the use of public facilities across Abuja as part of efforts to strengthen security and prevent activities capable of disrupting public peace in the nation’s capital.
The administration further warned that title documents of any hotel, event centre or public facility found hosting gatherings organised by illegal groups could be revoked.
“In view of the need to further ensure the security of lives and properties in the FCT and sustain the efforts of security agencies, usage of Event Centres, Hotels and other public buildings will now be closely monitored,” the statement read.
The FCTA specifically directed operators of hotels and event centres to ensure they only transact with leaderships of political parties recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), especially during the ongoing political season ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The administration also advised facility owners to properly verify the legitimacy of organisations seeking to rent their venues and maintain proper records of all transactions.
The development comes amid growing political realignments, factional disputes and heightened tensions within several political parties across the country.
The warning has also revived conversations surrounding earlier allegations made by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which had claimed in April that pressure was mounted on an Abuja event centre ahead of its national convention. However, the management of the facility later denied receiving any direct threat from the FCT Minister or his office.
