JUST IN: Wike warns Abuja hotels to only host events by INEC-recognised parties

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has warned owners of hotels, event centres and other public facilities in Abuja to ensure they only host events organised by leaderships of political parties recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The minister also warned that facilities used by illegal organisations risk losing their land titles.

In a statement issued on Friday, Lere Olayinka, media aide to the FCT minister, said the directive was aimed at strengthening security in the nation’s capital.

According to the statement, the use of event centres, hotels and other public buildings will now be closely monitored to prevent gatherings capable of threatening public peace.

“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,” the administration warned.

The FCTA urged owners of such facilities to verify the legality of organisations seeking to use their premises and maintain proper records of transactions.

“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,” it stated.

The administration said land allocations in the FCT are meant strictly for lawful activities,warning that title documents of any hotel, event centre or public building used for gatherings by illegal organisations would be revoked.

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