PDP's N16bn National Secretariat Remains Abandoned Despite Raising Over N62bn

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has failed to complete its N16 billion national secretariat project, leaving the 12-story building abandoned despite raising over N62 billion through fundraising and form sales in the last four election cycles. The construction of the new headquarters, initiated in 2008 by then-National Chairman Ahmadu Ali to address insufficient office space at the current Wadata Plaza in Abuja, has been stalled for over a decade.

Investigations reveal that the PDP generated three times the funds required to complete the project during fundraising in the election years of 2010, 2014, 2019, and 2023. However, the construction company BNL Limited abandoned the site due to the party's failure to provide additional funds. Past and present National Working Committee members attribute the project's abandonment to a lack of funds, but records show the party amassed significant funds from various sources, including presidential, governorship, Senate, and House of Representatives aspirants, during these election cycles.

Why this matters: The abandonment of the PDP's national secretariat project raises questions about the party's financial management and accountability. As a major political party in Nigeria, the PDP's inability to complete the project despite raising substantial funds undermines public trust and highlights the need for greater transparency in the use of party funds.

The PDP's National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, maintains that the party will continue to monitor the activities of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, despite facing internal crises. Ologunagba emphasizes that the PDP, as a major opposition party, has the responsibility to address national concerns that affect the daily lives of Nigerians, such as the state of the economy and security.

Key Takeaways

• PDP failed to complete its N16 billion national secretariat project despite raising N62 billion.
• Construction stalled for over a decade due to PDP's failure to provide additional funds.
• PDP generated 3 times the funds required but project was abandoned, raising questions about financial management.
• PDP's National Publicity Secretary says party will continue monitoring APC and Tinubu's policies.
• Abandoned project remains a reminder of PDP's unfulfilled promises and need for accountability in party funds.