Police yet to vacate New PDP office – Eze

The Police are yet to vacate the secretariat of the New Peoples Democratic Party despite the merger of the faction with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The police were still occupying the house as at yesterday.

An Armoured Personnel Carrier was stationed at the entrance to the secretariat to prevent access to the place.

It was gathered that the officers of the defunct New PDP have not been allowed to evacuate their furniture and files.

Also, the landlord of the building could not gain access to his prime asset.

Former National Publicity Secretary of the New PDP, Chief Chukwuemeka Eze, said the continued seal off of the secretariat had confirmed the allegation of impunity against the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Eze said: 'Up till now, there is no access to the secretariat by our leaders. This is a demonstration of the impunity which this President Goodluck Jonathan administration is noted for.

'Nigerians should find out the rationale for holding on to the secretariat when the leaders of New PDP have moved to APC?

'If it is not for arrant display of powers, why can't the FCDA just allow the owner of the house access to it and comply with the Land Use law.

'I hope that they are not trying to show Nigerians that their decision in 2011 to vote for the President was a mistake.

'The government should show respect for the fundamental rights of Nigerians by reopening the building.'

The Development Control Unit of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) alleged that the measure was taken following a violation of the law on land use.

The FCDA said the area where the secretariat was located had been designed for residential houses and not for political parties.

The Public Relations Officer of Development Control, an agency under the Federal Capital Territory Development Authority, Mr. Kalu Emetu, in October said: 'We marked it in order for the owner to revert it to its original status. When this is done, there would be no demolition,' he said.

The Director of Development Control of the FCT, Alhaji Yahaya Yusuf, said the location of the building was meant strictly for residential purposes and that converting it to a party secretariat had violated the Abuja master plan.

The police on September 7 sealed off the secretariat at 4, Oyi River Crescent, Maitama District in Abuja, following the split of the ruling PDP. - The Nation.