The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has again denied reports alleging that he allocated land to his children. In a statement on Tuesday, his media aide, Lere Olayinka, dismissed the claims as part of a continued smear campaign by political opponents.
Wike was recently accused of awarding 2,082 hectares of land in Maitama and Asokoro to his son through JOAQ Farms and Estates Limited. A new allegation has since emerged, claiming that land was also allocated to another son via Jordan Farms and Estates Limited.
Olayinka maintained that both allegations are unfounded. He explained that JOAQ Farmsreceived farmland in the Bwari Area Council, not Maitama or Asokoro, and that Jordan Farmsis a registered company with no links to Wike’s children.
“Even though the Minister’s children have the constitutional right to own land in Nigeria, none of them have been allocated land by the FCT administration,” Olayinka said.
He challenged critics to verify the ownership records of Jordan Farms at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
He also rejected claims based on the company’s name, arguing that a shared name such as “Jordan” does not establish ownership. “There are many companies with similar names. That doesn’t mean they are owned by the Minister’s children,” he said.
Olayinka further suggested that the controversy is politically motivated, possibly orchestrated by individuals unhappy with Wike’s support for the power shift between Nigeria’s North and South.
Wike remains focused on advancing development in the FCT, Olayinka concluded, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
