Give Your Premises To Unrecognized Political Parties, Lose Title Documents – FCTA Warns Hotels, Event Centres

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has warned owners of event centres, hotels and other public facilities in Abuja against allowing their premises to be used by illegal organisations or unrecognised political party leaderships.

The administration, under the leadership of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, said title documents of any event centre, hotel, or public building used for gatherings organised by illegal groups would be revoked.

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 directive is part of measures to strengthen security in the nation’s capital and support ongoing operations by security agencies.

The FCTA said the use of event centres, hotels and other public buildings would now be closely monitored to ensure that such facilities are not used for activities capable of disturbing public peace.

The statement read, “In view of the need to further ensure the security of lives and properties in the FCT and sustain the efforts of security agencies in this regard, usage of Event Centres, Hotels and other public buildings will now be closely monitored.

“This is aimed at ensuring that they are not used by illegal organizations for gatherings capable of disrupting the peace of the nation’s capital.”

Facility Owners Told To Verify Groups

The administration urged owners and operators of hotels, event centres and public facilities to verify the legal status of organisations seeking to rent their premises.

It also advised them to properly understand the purpose of any gathering before approving the use of their facilities.

The FCTA said this had become necessary because lands and properties allocated within the Federal Capital Territory must only be used for lawful activities.

Political Parties Must Be INEC-Recognised

The statement particularly warned hotel and event centre operators to deal only with political party leaderships recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

It said the warning was important, especially during the current political season, when different groups and factions could attempt to use public facilities for political gatherings.

The statement added, “For instance, in this political season, owners of Event Centres and Hotels in particular must ensure that they only deal with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognised leadership of political parties in respect of the use of their facilities, and proper records of transactions must be kept.

“Failure to comply with this directive will result to revocation of the title documents such properties.”

The FCTA maintained that all lands allocated within the territory are meant strictly for lawful activities.

It warned that any property owner who allows a facility to be used for illegal gatherings or activities capable of disrupting peace in the capital would face sanctions.

The administration said the directive was not only aimed at protecting lives and property but also at preventing unlawful groups from taking advantage of public facilities to create tension in the Federal Capital Territory.