Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has come out strongly to defend his family amid swirling allegations that he illegally allocated large parcels of land in Abuja to his sons.
Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Wike denied the claims but didn’t shy away from asserting his children’s right to own land — just like any other Nigerian citizen.
“Assuming, though not conceding, that my children applied for land… Are they not citizens of this country? Are they Ghanaians?” Wike asked pointedly. “Even if they did apply, why should they be denied just because I’m a minister?”
Wike was reacting to viral online claims that accused him of allocating a staggering 3,822 hectares of prime Abuja land — 2,082 hectares via JOAQ Farms and Estates Ltd allegedly linked to one son, and 1,740 hectares to another son named Jordan. The estimated worth? A jaw-dropping $6.45 billion.
But the Minister dismissed the claims as “rubbish,” firmly stating that no such allocations were made. He questioned the logic of the figures being thrown around, especially given the scarcity of such massive land tracts in the elite districts of Maitama and Asokoro.
“Where in Maitama and Asokoro can you even find 2,000 hectares?” he asked. “First of all, do the math. Tell me where you would get that amount of land in those areas. Bring the documents. Bring empirical evidence.”
Wike went further, alleging that the story was part of a coordinated smear campaign originating from Adamawa State, though he declined to mention any names.
“I know where it’s coming from — it’s from Adamawa. I am aware of what they’re trying to do,” he said, implying a political motive behind the claims.
The FCT Minister emphasized that while he remains open to scrutiny, any accusations must be backed by facts, not social media speculation.
“I’m not above the law. But let’s talk evidence, not cooked-up stories,” Wike stated.
