A civil society organisation, the Centre for Democratic Integrity and Leadership (CDIL), has accused political opponents of sponsoring a smear campaign against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, following fresh allegations of illegal land allocations to his children.
The allegations, which claimed that Wike allocated large portions of land in Abuja to his sons through companies such as Joaq Farms and Jordan Farms, were described by the minister as baseless, politically motivated, and an attempt to derail his reform efforts.
Wike, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, dismissed the claims as false.
He noted that although land was indeed allocated to Jordan Farms and Estates Ltd., the company has no links to any of his children.
“Records at the Corporate Affairs Commission show that none of Wike’s children are directors in the company,” Olayinka stated, challenging critics to publish the ownership details if they have contrary evidence.
He added that simply sharing a name with a company—such as Wike’s son being named Jordan—does not establish ownership.
Olayinka also accused some political actors, particularly from Adamawa State, of targeting Wike due to his support for power rotation between Nigeria’s regions.
In support of the minister, CDIL commended his ongoing efforts to reform land administration in Abuja.
At a press conference on Tuesday, the organisation’s spokesperson, Kelvin Kuhwa, highlighted Wike’s achievements, including infrastructure upgrades, new transport terminals, and strict reforms in land allocation.
“The land deals followed due process,” Kuhwa stated, adding that the accusations were driven by individuals who had lost out under the current administration’s reforms.
Describing the allegations as “politically charged” and “irresponsible,” the group urged Nigerians to ignore “toxic reporting” and recognise the visible progress in the FCT under Wike’s leadership.