ABUJA, Nigeria — Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has refuted allegations that he allocated thousands of hectares of prime land in Abuja’s Maitama and Asokoro districts to his sons, describing the claims as baseless and politically motivated.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, July 3, 2025, Wike addressed the allegations that surfaced online, accusing him of granting 2,082 hectares to one son through JOAQ Farms and Estates Limited and an additional 1,740 hectares to another son, Jordan.
The combined parcels were allegedly valued at $6.45 billion.
“The whole thing is rubbish,” Wike said.
“Where in Maitama and Asokoro can you find 2,000 hectares? Bring the documents, bring empirical evidence.”
The former Rivers State governor questioned the geographic plausibility of the claims, citing the limited landmass in those high-profile areas.
“First, calculate land in Maitama and Asokoro and tell me where you’d get 2000 hectares of land,” he said.
“And I know where it is coming from. It is from Adamawa state. I am aware.”
Although Wike did not name the individual he believes to be behind the allegations, he asserted that the accusations were part of a smear campaign aimed at undermining his leadership of the FCT.
Addressing the broader issue of land ownership, Wike defended the rights of his children to apply for land like any other Nigerian citizens.
“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 FCT minister emphasised that due process remains the standard in land allocation under his watch and reiterated that no impropriety had occurred.
