The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has denied allegations that he used his office to fraudulently allocate thousands of hectares of land to his children in Abuja.

 

Rumours had circulated claiming that Wike allocated 2,082 hectares of land to one of his sons through JOAQ Farms and Estates Limited, and an additional 1,740 hectares to another son, Jordan—amounting to a total of 3,822 hectares allegedly valued at $6.45 billion.

 

Speaking on the matter, Wike described the allegations as baseless and politically motivated, accusing unnamed individuals of orchestrating a smear campaign.

 

“First, calculate land in Maitama and Asokoro and tell me where you’d get 2,000 hectares of land. And I know where it is coming from. It is from Adamawa State. I am aware,” the Minister stated.

 

He questioned the feasibility of such an allocation, pointing out that Maitama and Asokoro, two of the most developed and high-density districts in Abuja, do not have that amount of undeveloped land available.

 

“The whole thing is rubbish. Where in Maitama and Asokoro can you find 2,000 hectares? Bring the documents, bring empirical evidence,” he challenged.

 

Wike further defended the constitutional rights of his children to own property, saying they are entitled to apply for land like any other Nigerian citizen.

 

“Assuming, though not conceding, my children applied for land—are they not citizens? Are they Ghanaians? Even if they applied, are they not entitled because I’m Minister?” he asked.

 

The Minister has faced increasing scrutiny in recent months over land-related controversies in the FCT, but he maintains that all land allocations under his watch have followed due process.