Buhari Breaks Silence on Abuja Land Saga, Disowns Trust Foundation Linked to Him

By Achimi muktar

In a swift rebuttal to recent media buzz, former President Muhammadu Buhari has denied claims that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, revoked any of his lands in Abuja. Buhari also disassociated himself from the Muhammadu Buhari Trust Foundation, a body reportedly linked to him in the ongoing land revocation controversy.

The clarification came via a statement on Thursday by Buhari’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, following reports that Wike had, through the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), revoked several high-profile land allocations, including one allegedly belonging to the Muhammadu Buhari Trust Foundation.

“Shehu's statement emphasized that the former president is not personally connected to the disputed land. 'The former President is personally not the owner of the said plot of land which is allocated in the name of a “Muhammadu Buhari Foundation,”' the statement read.

A Foundation, Not Personal Property

According to Shehu, the Muhammadu Buhari Trust Foundation was established by individuals close to Buhari, with lawful intentions and support from various well-meaning persons. However, the foundation encountered bureaucratic challenges, including an unexpectedly high bill for the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.

“It may have been that this was not erroneous, but a deliberate mistake, making the revocation of the land no surprise to anyone,” Shehu added.

Buhari’s Humility on Land Ownership

The former president also clarified his stance on personal land ownership in Abuja. Shehu revealed that during Buhari’s tenure, when the opportunity arose for cabinet members to apply for land allocations, he declined.

“He returned the form without filling it, saying he already had a plot of land in the FCT and that those without should be given priority,” Shehu explained.

Digital Misinformation

In his statement, Buhari urged the public to verify facts before making assumptions, particularly regarding his alleged involvement in the land revocation case.

“Let all those jumping up and down in the digital space, talking about the rightfulness or lack of it on the reported seizure of Buhari’s land in Abuja, get their facts right and stop dragging down the name of the former President,” the statement concluded.

This development comes as Wike’s land revocation efforts stir controversy, with critics and supporters debating the broader implications for land ownership rights in Abuja. For now, Buhari has categorically distanced himself from the storm, setting the record straight on his land dealings and the foundation in question.