Wike’s Aide Responds to Alleged Land Allocation Scandal Involving FCT Minister

By Arthur Maduka

A spokesperson for Nyesom Wike has denied reports alleging that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister allocated over 2,000 hectares of land in prime Abuja districts to his son, describing the story as a fabrication peddled by unprofessional journalists.

Lere Olayinka, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, issued a statement on Thursday dismissing the allegations published earlier this week. The report—first published as an exclusive by Peoples Gazette—claimed that Wike had allocated at least 2,082 hectares of land, worth an estimated $3.6 billion, to his son Joaquin in areas such as Maitama, Asokoro, and Guzape.

In his response, Olayinka categorically stated that “not even a single plot of land has been allocated to any of the Minister’s children,” and called the publication “another falsehood from the vault of those whose main job is to malign the FCT Minister.”

He challenged the credibility of the report and its authors, labeling them “quack journalists” and questioning the feasibility of such an allocation. “In Asokoro and Maitama of today, where can the FCT Minister see 2,082 hectares of land to allocate to anyone?” Olayinka asked. “Only quack journalists will go to town with story of allocation of 2,082 hectares of land in Asokoro and Maitama.”

While acknowledging that any Nigerian citizen, including the minister’s family members, is entitled to own land provided legal requirements are met, Olayinka stressed that no land had been given to Wike’s children. He confirmed that JOAQ Farms and Estate Limited—reportedly linked to the Wike family—did receive a land allocation in Bwari Area Council, but insisted it was strictly for agricultural use.

“For the avoidance of doubt, JOAQ Farms and Estate Limited, a company duly registered in Nigeria, got land allocation in Bwari Area Council for the purpose of farming,” he said. “So what is wrong with a farmer getting land allocation strictly for the purpose of agriculture?”

Olayinka concluded by urging the public to disregard the claims, describing them as “malicious” and “bitterness-painted,” and repeated his call for higher standards of professionalism in journalism.

The original report by Peoples Gazette alleged large-scale land allocations signed directly by Wike to his son through the said company and backed by certificates of occupancy. The publication claimed to have reviewed multiple land files and official documents.