Wike land allocation scandal dismissed as smear campaign by critics, as CSO defends Abuja land reforms and denies links to illegal allocations
Wike land allocation scandal has been dismissed by a civil society group as a politically motivated smear campaign designed to undermine the minister’s reform agenda in the Federal Capital Territory.
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The group, the Centre for Democratic Integrity and Leadership, accused political opponents of fabricating allegations against Minister Nyesom Wike, particularly regarding claims of land allocations to his children.
The controversy stems from recent media reports accusing Wike of illegally allocating land in Abuja to companies allegedly linked to his sons.
These include Joaq Farms and Estates Limited and Jordan Farms and Estates Limited. The minister has categorically denied any wrongdoing.
In a statement on Tuesday, Lere Olayinka, the minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, refuted the allegations.
He described the reports as “baseless and mischievous,” adding that the same accusations had already failed to gain public traction.
Olayinka clarified that the companies in question are legally registered and have no links to any of Wike’s children.
He said, “No doubt, the land was duly allocated to Jordan Farms and Estates Limited, a company duly registered in Nigeria, with none of the children of the FCT minister as director of the company.”
He continued, “That one of the sons of the FCT minister is Jordan and there is a company, Jordan Farms and Estates Limited is no reason anyone should conclude that the company belongs to Wike’s son.”
Olayinka also challenged critics to produce evidence from the Corporate Affairs Commission showing that the companies are owned by the minister’s children.
“Records of ownership of the company are available at the Corporate Affairs Commission and we challenge purveyors of these stories to publish names of the company owners,” he said.
He added, “As usual, this sponsored blackmail has failed. Nothing will stop the FCT Minister from continuing with his developmental efforts in accordance with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Reacting further, Olayinka pointed out that land ownership is a constitutional right.
“Even though like other Nigerians, it is the rights of children of the minister, his friends, associates and relatives to own lands anywhere in the country, including the FCT, provided all necessary conditions are met, as of today, no land has been allocated to any of the minister’s children.”
The Centre for Democratic Integrity and Leadership also weighed in during a press conference, describing the allegations as politically charged and lacking factual basis.
Its representative, Kelvin Kuhwa, stated, “The smear campaign against Wike was orchestrated by entrenched interests who have lost access to the previous regime’s favouritism and were resistant to the minister’s reforms.”
The group praised Wike’s achievements since assuming office, including the renovation of the International Conference Centre, improvements to internal roads, and the establishment of new transport terminals.
According to Kuhwa, Wike’s reforms have transformed the FCT from a zone of neglect into a model of governance.
“Since he assumed office, Mr Wike has shown extraordinary leadership and administrative rigour,” he said.
He added that all land allocations under Wike had followed due process and were made to legal entities committed to productive development.
Kuhwa stated, “Land administration has been subjected to stringent reforms, with dormant allocations and illegal land grabs being revoked and reallocated.”
The group urged Nigerians to focus on the positive developments in Abuja rather than what it termed “toxic reporting.”
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It concluded that attempts to link the minister’s family to land scandals were attempts to derail reform and discredit his success.
