Mr. Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has come under severe criticisms over allegation of bonanza of allocation of plots of lands to members of his family including his 90-year-old father, close relatives and political associates.
It was gathered that the latest land bonanza for his family members which is being viewed as clearly gross abuse of office, are in addition to an earlier wave in April 2025, during which six of his relatives were awarded high-value plots of land ranging between 2,158 to 2,813 square metres in the same upscale district.
Checks indicated that the beneficiaries from that batch included; Vincent Ejike Wike, Chidi Sam Wike, Chituru Wike, Christian Ibebulachi Wike, Collins Ngeme Wike, and Emmanuel Okanwene Wike.
Dependable sources within the FCTA opined that Wike frequently bypassed official protocols by deliberately issuing verbal orders to override statutory payment processes for his preferred beneficiaries.
The Fifth Schedule, Part I of the 1999 Constitution specifically prohibits public officers from using their position for personal enrichment and mandates removal and prosecution for such conduct.
An official of the FCTA said; “Wike runs this Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory Administration like his private estate. There is no iota of regard for transparency or accountability. It is clearly a brazen abuse of public office”.
The latest development follows an earlier public outrage over revelations that Wike used his office to approve lands for his children, which he initially denied but, later made a detour and claimed that his children were Nigerians and entitled to land in the FCT, a development that prompted scrutiny of his use of ministerial powers.
An official of the FCTA who crave anonymity, said such brazen act has never been witnessed in the FCT until now under Wike.
It was also gathered that after the expose by the media over the allocations of large portions of lands in choice areas to his sons, Wike took another surprised move by calling for a closed-door meeting with some senior officials of the Land Department on July 4, 2025, during which he reportedly expanded the list of land recipients of members of his family and close family and personal circle to 38 names.
According to the official; “The minister was angry about the media backlash. So, he decided to widen the allocation list to more of his people to prove he could do whatever he likes.”
Following his directive on the new list, the officials quickly acted and forwarded the reviewed documents containing the 33 land allocations to the FCT Minister which he quickly approved and signed on July 16, including that of his 90-year-old father, Joshua Nlemanya Wike, who he allocated 1,042 square metres of land to in Guzape II, valued at over ₦400 million with file number 62783.
Similarly, he approved different allocation of lands to his paternal cousin, Believe Wike, nephews Victor and Henry Wike, and cousin Primise Wike, all from Rivers State thereby breached federal character principle usually adopted in the allocation of lands in the FCT.
Further checks indicated that Wike carry on with so much political arrogance and impunity as he is alleged to have constantly and frequently bragged before his appointees of his immense influence on President Bola Tinubu and members of his government.
Another source said; “Wike often boasts that he was instrumental to President Tinubu’s victory in 2023 and would be indispensable in 2027. He boosts that the President can’t touch him, just as no judge in Nigeria will be able to convict him for corruption. That is the level of impunity he operates with”.
Even though Wike initially denied allegations of land racketeering, official documents indicated that his sons Joaquin and Jordan Wike were awarded 3,822 hectares of land, with a conservative estimated value of $6.45 million.
Wike, who was initially disturbed over media revelations, the FCT Minister was believed to have regained confidence after realizing he could manipulate public narratives with little consequence.
The presidency which is working to shed off the toga of corruption hovering around the administration is believed to be seriously disturbed over the growing scandal being committed by Wike, but in a quagmire on how to wriggle out of the complication against the backdrop of 2027 election.
However, the presidency is aware and conscious of the negative vibes the negative actions of Wike are having on the administration which had further worsened the corruption dress hanging over the administration.
Surprisingly, the panel allegedly set up to probe the matter has gone into limbo three weeks after it was constituted as neither Wike had been summoned not any request made for public submission of memoranda.
However, in spite of the foot dragging, an anti-corruption watchdog on the aegis of the ‘Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA)’, has filed a petition with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), calling for immediate probe into what it described as “reckless abuse of office and primitive diversion of public assets”.
It was also gathered that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the ICPC are reported to be monitoring the development with keen interest as they can not take action without presidential approval to commence probe.
But, as public outcry exacerbates, concerned Nigerians are watching closely to see whether President Tinubu will uphold his anti-corruption promises or sacrifice it for political expediency.
Who own this page
Forefrontng.com