Tinubu Orders Probe Into Alleged 2,000-Hectare Land Allocation To Wike’s Son In Abuja.
President Bola Tinubu has reportedly ordered a formal investigation into allegations that Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), allocated over 2,000 hectares of prime land in Abuja, valued at approximately $3.6 billion, to his son, Joaquin Wike. The directive follows a wave of public concern and media reports highlighting the alleged transaction in the exclusive districts of Asokoro and Maitama.
According to sources, the investigation aims to scrutinise claims that the land, reportedly allocated through a Right of Occupancy issued to JOAQ Farms and Estate Limited, is linked to Wike’s family. The scale of the allocation—over 2,000 hectares in some of Abuja’s most sought-after areas—has sparked debate about transparency and accountability within the FCT administration. The probe is expected to examine the legitimacy of the transaction and its compliance with Nigeria’s land allocation policies.
However, Wike has vehemently denied the allegations, dismissing them as “malicious falsehoods” propagated by “quack journalists.” In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the minister questioned the feasibility of such a vast land allocation in Asokoro and Maitama, areas known for their limited available land. “Where can the FCT Minister find 2,082 hectares to allocate to anyone in these districts?” Olayinka stated, urging for professionalism in journalism.
The Presidency has remained tight-lipped on the matter, reportedly to avoid immediate political fallout, given Wike’s pivotal role in overseeing major infrastructure projects in Abuja under Tinubu’s administration. The investigation, expected to span several months, could have significant implications for Wike’s political standing and the credibility of Tinubu’s anti-corruption agenda.
Public reaction has been mixed, with some Nigerians praising the President’s swift response to the allegations, while others remain sceptical, citing the need for transparency in the investigation’s outcome. Social media platforms, particularly X, have been abuzz with discussions, with posts reflecting both support for the probe and calls for broader scrutiny of land allocations in the capital.
This development comes amid Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to drive infrastructural transformation in the FCT, with recent projects like the Kabusa-Ketti Road and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre earning praise for enhancing Abuja’s economic and social landscape. However, the allegations against Wike risk casting a shadow over these achievements.
As the investigation unfolds, Nigerians await further details on whether the claims against Wike hold merit or if they will be dismissed as unfounded. The outcome could set a precedent for how the Tinubu administration addresses allegations of impropriety among its top officials.