Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike is currently at the center of a major controversy involving the alleged illegal reallocation of vast tracts of prime land in Abuja to family members, political cronies, and associates. Activist groups, opposition politicians, and civic organizations have accused Wike of abusing his office to funnel lucrative land assets valued at billions of dollars to his inner circle, sparking outrage and calls for protests and official investigations.
Allegations and Public Outcry
Recent investigative reports and campaigns led by the Network of Abuja Left Groups and others allege that Wike oversaw the allocation of approximately 3,822 hectares of land across the FCT worth an estimated $6.45 billion to his two sons, Jordan and Joaquin, as well as close allies. This amount represents about 0.52% of the total land area of the Federal Capital Territory. Critics describe this as a "massive land grab" and "money heist," arguing that the public assets would be better used to address Abuja's critical housing deficit and urban development needs.
Political opponents, including former APC deputy spokesman Timi Frank, have characterized the scandal as national in scope, accusing Wike of weaponizing his influence to raise campaign funds for President Bola Tinubu’s prospective 2027 re-election bid. Frank condemned President Tinubu’s silence over the allegations as tacit approval, warning it undermines government credibility.
Wike's Response and Denials
In response, Wike and his aides have vehemently denied all claims of improper land allocation to his family. His Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications, Lere Olayinka, dismissed the allegations as “falsehoods” and products of “quack journalists.”
Official statements specify that:
- No land has been allocated to any of Wike’s children in Abuja’s highbrow districts such as Maitama or Asokoro.
- The only confirmed land allocation linked to a Wike-associated entity, JOAQ Farms and Estates Limited, is in the Bwari Area Council and strictly designated for agricultural purposes—not lucrative residential or commercial developments.
- Wike challenges accusers to produce concrete evidence or official documents supporting any claims linking his children to prime land allocations.
Land Revocations and Reallocations
The minister’s tenure has also been marked by a sweeping land reform campaign, including the revocation of thousands of land titles held by owners who failed to meet development conditions or pay ground rent over several years. This policy, intended to enforce better land use and generate urban development opportunities, has been criticized for selective enforcement.
A notable incident involved the University of Abuja, where Wike ordered the repossession of 7,000 hectares of land the university allegedly appropriated illegally for expansion without proper documentation. This land is to be reallocated for the FCT’s urban development projects.
Meanwhile, some legitimate landowners like Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, an 84-year-old widow, are contesting the revocation of their longstanding land rights despite compliance with regulations, raising questions about fairness and transparency in enforcement.
Political and Social Impacts
The land controversy has galvanized civic groups to call for peaceful protests within Abuja to demand accountability and halt land grabs perceived as benefiting a select elite. The situation exposes ongoing challenges in Nigeria regarding governance, land management, and the politicization of public resources.
President Tinubu has reportedly ordered probes into the land scandals involving FCT lands, signaling some official attention, though no conclusive public statements or punitive measures against Wike have yet emerged.
The unfolding Abuja land saga highlights:
- Accusations of vast land allocations worth billions linked to political elites.
- Strong denials and calls for proof from Wike and his camp.
- Civic activism demanding transparency and justice in land governance.
- Questions about presidential oversight and political will to confront corruption allegations.
As investigations continue and public pressure mounts, the controversy will remain a critical test of Nigeria’s commitment to rule of law and equitable public resource management.
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