By Peter Omopo
Abuja, July 2, 2025 — A civil society organisation, the Centre for Democratic Integrity and Leadership, has accused unnamed political opponents of orchestrating a coordinated smear campaign against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, following fresh allegations linking him to controversial land allocations involving his children.
The group’s reaction comes on the heels of Wike’s categorical denial of reports suggesting that he illegally allocated large portions of land in the Maitama and Asokoro districts to his sons through companies allegedly tied to his family.
In a statement released Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the minister described the allegations as baseless, mischievous, and politically motivated, adding that such attacks were aimed at derailing the FCT’s developmental strides under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
“This sponsored blackmail has failed. Those behind these stories will need to do more because Wike remains committed to transforming the FCT,” Olayinka said.
Earlier reports had claimed that the minister allocated 2,082 hectares of land in Maitama and Asokoro to one of his sons through JOAQ Farms and Estates Limited. Responding, Olayinka clarified that the said land is non-existent in the two districts combined, and the only allocation in question pertained to a farming site in Bwari Area Council—with no direct link to the minister’s family.
Addressing new claims involving another company, Jordan Farms and Estates Limited, Olayinka insisted the entity is a legally registered Nigerian company with no connection to Wike’s children.
“That one of the sons of the FCT Minister is named Jordan, and there exists a company called Jordan Farms and Estates Limited, does not imply ownership. None of his children are directors in the company,” he said.
He challenged those peddling the allegations to verify ownership records at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and make the directors’ names public.
The Centre for Democratic Integrity and Leadership backed the minister, calling the allegations a deliberate distraction from his ongoing urban renewal efforts in Abuja.
The controversy marks the latest in a string of politically charged accusations targeting Wike since his appointment as FCT Minister in 2023.
