ABUJA — A civil society group, the Centre for Democratic Integrity and Leadership (CDIL), has strongly defended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, dismissing fresh allegations of illegal land allocations to his children as politically motivated falsehoods.
This follows Wike’s latest denial of claims linking him to controversial land deals in Abuja, including reports that he allocated 2,082 hectares of land in Maitama and Asokoro to his son through Joaq Farms and Estates Limited.
In a statement on Tuesday, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications, Lere Olayinka, described the allegations as baseless and mischievous, accusing political enemies of orchestrating a smear campaign to derail the minister’s reforms under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“As usual, this sponsored blackmail has failed... Nothing will stop him from continuing with his developmental efforts in the FCT,” Olayinka stated.
He clarified that Joaq Farms was allocated land legally in Bwari Area Council—not in Maitama or Asokoro—and that the company has no connection to Wike’s children. He also addressed fresh allegations involving a similarly named company, Jordan Farms and Estates Limited.
“That one of the sons of the FCT minister is Jordan and there is a company, Jordan Farms and Estates Limited, is no reason to assume ownership,” Olayinka said, challenging critics to publish the actual names of the company’s owners.
He likened the accusations to assuming a person owns a local government because they share a name with it, calling it “laughable logic.”
Responding to critics, Olayinka also alleged political vendetta from an unnamed figure in Adamawa State, claiming it stemmed from Wike’s stance on power rotation.
Meanwhile, CDIL publicly backed Wike at a press conference in Abuja, describing the allegations as “politically charged, highly irresponsible, and lacking in credibility.”
The group’s representative, Kelvin Kuhwa, said Wike had shown “extraordinary leadership and administrative rigour” since taking office, citing major projects such as:
The renovation of the International Conference Centre
Development of intra-city rail and bus terminals
Resurfacing of internal roads
Reforms in land administration
Kuhwa added that Wike’s efforts to revoke dormant and illegally acquired land allocations have angered entrenched interests, who are now using smear tactics to tarnish his reputation.
“The FCT has undergone rapid, visible, and measurable transformation under Wike’s leadership,” Kuhwa said, urging Nigerians to reject politically driven attacks and focus on the minister’s accomplishments.
