Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has been the target of significant accusations from Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the FCT. The accusations include serious land malfeasance in Abuja, impunity, and egregious abuse of authority.
Kingibe revealed in a recent interview that Wike allegedly canceled large amounts of institutional land without legal support and cut his son’s ₦200 million land payment to ₦2 million in 48 hours.
Referencing documented proof that Wike’s son was given substantial land allocations, the senator said that the minister had approved a sharp cut in fees, calling the action “unfair, unethical, and clearly illegal.”
According to Kingibe’s allegations on an Arise TV show, “I have documents to show that Minister Wike allocated lands to his son… they wrote asking him to give a waiver on the bill and reduce it.”
The legislator also allegedly accused Wike of re-establishing agencies without consulting the National Assembly, breaking the law, and leading the FCT with impunity.
Laws are not followed by the ministry. She stated, “He is autocratic. He doesn’t accept that when you try to bring him to your attention.”
She cited his decision to revoke 7,000 hectares of land from the University of Abuja, leaving it with only 4,000 hectares, which she described as being “an act against the Land Use Act.”
She cited further instances, such as Bwari land that was originally designated for a general hospital but was later used for commercial construction.
According to Kingibe, “He revoked it and he’s having some sort of market or mall put on it.”
Wike was also criticized by Kingibe for firing poor street sweepers without providing them with equipment, which left the city noticeably messy once more.
“He shows up and fires them all. Then, he doesn’t use automated street sweepers in their stead. “So Abuja looks dirty,” she complained.
In regards to ground rent enforcement, Kingibe claimed the minister was harassing locals and embassies.
She further stated that “Minister Wike has been harassing all of FCT, including embassies, over ground rent.”
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The senator was accused of being ignorant of the Land Use Act by Wike’s spokesperson, who reportedly later denied these allegations.
Documentation of a ₦200 million reduction and institutional land revocations
The claims are in line with recent investigative revelations published in The Gazette, which showed that Wike gave his son Joaquin an estimated 2,082 hectares (₦3.6 billion) while evading taxes and payments.
His other son, Jordan, allegedly received 1,740 hectares ($2.85 billion) in Abuja in a different lawsuit.
Kingibe will use documents and the National Assembly to escalate
However, Kingibe has promised to provide evidence for examination to the proper authorities, such as the National Assembly or others.
She announced, “I’m going to take those documents and go to the body… and insist that they all be approved by the National Assembly.”
She asserted that her correspondence with Wike’s office has been disregarded.
“I don’t even get a response to my letters. “This is not how democracy is supposed to work,” she said.
Kingibe also highlighted security concerns, describing how she felt intimidated by a black SUV that followed her out of the airport following an oversight visit.
