Wike denies allocating 2,000 hectares to son in Abuja

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has denied allegations that he allocated over 2,000 hectares of land in Abuja's Maitama and Asokoro districts to his son. The claims, which surfaced online, suggested that Wike secretly awarded 2,082 hectares of land to his son through a company named JOAQ Farms and Estate Limited, with the land valued at approximately $3.6 billion.

By Rhalialt Arhuoizah

Key Points from Wike's Response:

- Denial of Allegations: Wike's Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, described the claims as "another falsehood" aimed at smearing the FCT Minister's reputation.
- No Land Allocation: Olayinka emphasized that no land, not even a single plot, has been allocated to any of Wike's children.
- Right to Own Land: Wike and his family have the right to acquire land in Nigeria, including the FCT, provided they meet the necessary conditions.

Verification Efforts:

A fact-check by TJ News Nigeria found the claim to be "PARTIALLY TRUE" but requiring further independent verification. While a company linked to Wike's son was registered in October 2024, the valuation and number of hectares remain disputed, and there's no official confirmation of the allocation .