FCT Minister Wike Denies 2,000-Hectare Land Deal for Son, Labels Viral Report a Campaign of Malicious Falsehoods

 

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has firmly rejected allegations making the rounds on social media that he allocated over 2,000 hectares of prime Abuja land to one of his sons. The online report at the heart of the controversy had claimed that 2,082 hectares in the prestigious Asokoro and Maitama districts were secretly handed over to Wike’s son through a company allegedly linked to his family.

The publication, citing a Right of Occupancy purportedly issued in the name of JOAQ Farms and Estate Limited, asserted that the land meant for agricultural development was being used as a cover for personal enrichment. The report quickly gained traction across digital platforms, stirring criticism and speculation regarding possible abuse of office by the FCT Minister.

Wike, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, wasted no time in dismissing the claims. Addressing the media on Thursday, Olayinka described the report as “another malicious falsehood from individuals hell-bent on smearing the reputation of the FCT Minister.”

The press statement was unequivocal. “Not even a single plot of land has been allocated to any of the Minister’s children,” Olayinka stated, branding the allegation as the handiwork of “quack journalists” who, in his view, lack the ethics and training required for responsible reporting.

He challenged the logic of the claim, pointing out that securing over 2,000 hectares of land within Abuja’s most densely developed and tightly regulated districts is practically impossible. “In Maitama and Asokoro of today, where can anyone find such an expansive piece of land available for allocation?” he asked rhetorically.

The publication’s reliance on a Right of Occupancy linked to JOAQ Farms and Estate Limited was, according to Olayinka, an inadequate basis for such explosive accusations. He clarified that the said company is a legitimately registered Nigerian entity that had received land in the Bwari Area Council of the FCT strictly for agricultural purposes.

“So what is wrong with a registered farming company receiving a lawful allocation of land for agricultural use?” Olayinka queried. He argued that the land in question is not situated in either Asokoro or Maitama, but rather in Bwari, a satellite area outside Abuja’s central administrative zones.

The statement went further to assert that even if members of the Minister’s family had applied for and obtained land legally, there would be nothing unlawful about such a transaction. “It is within the constitutional rights of the Minister and his family members, immediate or extended, to own property anywhere in Nigeria, including the FCT, provided due process is followed,” he said.

Olayinka also criticized the integrity of the media outlet behind the initial report, implying that the story was manufactured without evidence or journalistic diligence. “This is not just about misinformation; it is about a deliberate effort to defame,” he added.

The Minister’s media aide urged the public to treat the viral report with the contempt it deserves. He called on media practitioners to uphold the tenets of professionalism and truth, especially when reporting on matters of public interest and governance.

As tensions continue to simmer around issues of land allocation and transparency in the FCT administration, Wike’s office has made it clear that it will not remain silent in the face of what it describes as orchestrated attempts to undermine the Minister’s credibility. The administration insists that all land transactions undertaken during Wike’s tenure are above board and guided by legal protocols.

No official legal action has been announced against the media outlet or individuals behind the publication as of now. However, the tone of the Minister’s response suggests that his team is not ruling out the possibility of pursuing such steps if defamatory narratives persist.

Public reaction remains mixed, with some critics calling for an independent investigation into the land allocation processes within the FCT, while others view the report as part of a larger campaign to discredit high-profile government officials.

As the dust settles, what remains clear is Wike’s firm stance against the allegations and his commitment to challenging what he views as reckless journalism aimed at manipulating public opinion.