Politics
Nigeria Is Not His Estate: Wike’s 2,000‑Hectare Scandal Must Shake Us Awake
Nigeria Is Not His Estate: Wike’s 2,000‑Hectare Scandal Must Shake Us Awake.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
When leadership is reduced to entitlement and public office becomes an inheritance plan, a democracy begins to rot at its core. That is the ugly reality Nigeria faces today, following damning revelations that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, allegedly allocated more than 2,000 hectares of prime Abuja land (valued at over $3.6 billion) to a company tied to his son, Joaquin Wike.
This isn’t just scandalous. It is treasonous against the Nigerian people.
According to detailed investigations by Peoples Gazette and corroborated by Sahara Reporters, Wike personally signed off on multiple land allocations spanning high-profile areas like Maitama, Asokoro, Guzape and Gaduwa. These allocations, according to sources inside the FCTA, totalled 2,082 Hectares, translating to approximately 40,000 plots of land. The documents reveal that these lands were awarded under the pretence of agricultural purposes to a company newly registered and linked to Wike’s son; Joaq Farms and Estates Ltd.
Even more shocking, some of the plots were allegedly seized from embassies, private families and federal infrastructure reserves. Among the affected: the Austrian Embassy, which had been allocated a site for diplomatic development and families with long-standing land rights in Guzape and Katampe.
Let us call this what it is: FEUDALISM wearing the mask of governance.
Nigeria Has Been Turned Into a Private Empire.
Wike, a man who once styled himself as a defender of the people during his tenure as governor of Rivers State, now appears to have embraced the very impunity he used to denounce. As FCT Minister, his constitutional duty is to serve the interests of over 200 million Nigerians, not build an imperial inheritance for his children in the heart of the nation.
One FCTA insider quoted by Sahara put it plainly:
“When we told the minister in April that he needed to slow down on frequent allocations to his own children, he said he was just starting, because his goal was to make them the largest landowners in Abuja.”
That statement should send shivers down the spine of any patriot. It’s no longer about infrastructure, development or public service. It is about power. It is about legacy. It is about the theft of a future that belongs to all Nigerians.
Where Is the President?
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has remained disturbingly silent on the matter. This is a man who preached “RENEWED HOPE” during his campaign, hope for a new Nigeria, built on transparency, reform and service. Yet, when a senior member of his cabinet is credibly accused of converting national assets into personal estates not a single word of condemnation or inquiry has come from Aso Rock.
Is Tinubu afraid of Wike’s political clout? Or is this silence an admission that corruption is the glue holding his coalition together?
Even if the President chooses silence, we will not. Nigerian democracy will not survive if citizens are expected to endure hardship while elites feed off the nation’s flesh. Civil servants in the FCT are owed salaries. Teachers and healthcare workers can not even pay rent. Yet Wike and his son allegedly control enough land in Abuja to build five new cities.
Denials and Diversions
As expected, Wike’s media team rushed to deny the allegations. His spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, called the reports “mischievous lies,” claiming that the allocations were for agricultural purposes in Bwari, not high-value plots in Maitama or Guzape.
But facts don’t lie.
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) records show that Joaq Farms was registered mere months before the land deals. Mapping documents, certificates of occupancy and payment files reviewed by multiple sources show names, dates and locations that align with the scandal.
So unless Nigeria is being governed in a hall of illusions, Wike owes this nation a full, honest explanation and not dismissive PR gymnastics.
This Is Bigger Than Land.
Let’s be clear: this is not just about hectares of land. This is about systemic theft, elite capture and the rapid erosion of accountability in Nigeria’s governance.
When public land, designated for diplomatic missions, schools, hospitals and civil infrastructure, is converted into private estates for the children of those in power, we are not practicing democracy; we are living under tyranny.
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju captured it perfectly:
“Wike is not the owner of Nigeria. He must stop grabbing people’s land and giving them to cronies. This is public property, not family inheritance.”
What Must Be Done
An Independent Panel Must Be Set Up Immediately.
The National Assembly, if it still has a soul, must summon the courage to open a full inquiry into these allocations. The documents are there. The facts are traceable. This cannot be swept under the rug.
EFCC and ICPC Must Intervene.
If Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies still function, then now is the time to act. Joaq Farms’ records, transactions and land-use certificates must be scrutinized. If any rule has been broken (and clearly, several have) they must be prosecuted with full force.
Abuja Masterplan Must Be Respected.
The original master plan of the Federal Capital Territory was designed to prevent chaos, elite monopolization and feudalism. All allocations that violate this plan must be revoked. A national city cannot be sacrificed for the ambitions of one man.
The People Must Speak Up.We cannot afford silence. From civil society to student unions, religious leaders to market women, this scandal must dominate our national conscience. APATHY is COMPLICITY.
History Will Remember This.
This is how nations fail, not because they lack natural resources or intelligent people, but because their leaders are allowed to behave like monarchs in a democracy.
If these land grabs are allowed to stand, Abuja will become a blueprint for elite domination. What stops other ministers from allocating oil wells to their wives or ports to their cousins and or even military barracks to their sons?
We have seen this story before. It ends in disaster.
Nigeria Is Not Your Family Business.
The tragedy of Nigeria today is that men who should be custodians have become looters. Our democracy is hanging by a thread and scandals like this one are daggers slashing at its heart.
To Nyesom Wike, if these allegations are true, you must resign and face trial. You were not elected Minister to build dynasties. You were appointed to serve. And to President Tinubu, your silence is not NEUTRAL; it is BETRAYAL.
The land belongs to the people. The power belongs to the people. And history, whether written in the courts or on the streets, will remember who stood up and who sold out.
George Omagbemi Sylvester is a Nigerian political analyst, writer and public affairs commentator based in South Africa. He writes for SaharaWeeklyNG.com and other regional publications.
Gov. Dauda Lawal commissions projects in Anka LGA, Commits to Sustainable Development
The Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Dauda Lawal, has reiterated his administration’s steadfast commitment to guiding Zamfara State towards sustainable development by inaugurating and initiating a series of pivotal projects in the Anka Local Government Area.
Among the key undertakings announced are the comprehensive reconstruction and modernization of the Emir of Anka’s palace, signaling a revitalization of traditional leadership; the initiation of work on the crucial Anka–Abbare Road, which is expected to significantly improve connectivity; and the construction of a new Local Government Secretariat.
Additionally, the projects encompass the establishment of dedicated offices for the Hisbah Commission and the Community Protection Guards, alongside the reconstruction of the Safe School in Anka, emphasizing the administration’s focus on enhancing educational infrastructure.
During the commissioning event, Governor Lawal highlighted that these projects are a fulfillment of commitments made during his campaign, aimed at transforming the local landscape by improving infrastructure, stimulating economic growth, bolstering public service efficiency, and enhancing the capacities of security agencies. He called for a collective effort from the community to ensure proper maintenance of these facilities, underscoring the shared responsibility in preserving public assets.
Governor Lawal shared that similar projects have also been inaugurated in Tsafe, with plans for upcoming projects in Kaura Namoda, Moriki, Bungudu, Bukkuyum, and Zurmi, all expected to be completed and inaugurated by the year’s end. This ambitious timeline reflects the administration’s urgency in addressing the development needs of various regions within the state.
In his remarks, the governor urged residents and local traditional institutions to collaborate closely in maintaining the newly commissioned structures and supporting the overarching objectives of his administration. “I stand here in Anka today to honor our commitments to the people of Anka Local Government and all of Zamfara State. The official opening of the new palace for the ‘Sarkin Zamfaran Anka’ and the Zamfara State Council of Chiefs is a significant milestone that wraps up today’s agenda,” he stated.
Governor Lawal emphasized the strategic importance of the Anka–Abbare Road, describing it as a critical artery that will not only enhance access to remote areas but also stimulate economic activities and generate multiplier effects throughout the local economy. He articulated the necessity of providing a conducive work environment for civil servants, affirming that the new local government secretariat and dedicated offices will significantly contribute to strengthening law and order within the state.
“Education is the cornerstone of any thriving society. Our focused initiatives are oriented towards fostering a safe, secure, and supportive environment for our students. I am also proud to announce the completion and commissioning of the reconstructed SAFE School Anka today,” he remarked, reaffirming the administration’s dedication to education.
The governor further noted that the commissioning of the Emir’s Palace serves to restore the historical prominence of traditional institutions, which he regards as pivotal custodians of the region’s culture and heritage. He underlined the administration’s awareness of the invaluable role that these institutions play in fostering the state’s growth and emphasized the necessity of aligning development projects with cultural values.
In conclusion, the governor mentioned that after the successful commissioning in Anka and Tsafe, future projects in Kaura Namoda and Moriki will follow suit, while those in Bungudu, Bukkuyum, and Zurmi remain on track for completion and official commissioning before the year concludes.
news
GEN CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE HAILS GOVERNOR UBA SANI’S APPOINTMENT AS RENEWED HOPE AMBASSADOR
GEN CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE HAILS GOVERNOR UBA SANI’S APPOINTMENT AS RENEWED HOPE AMBASSADOR
The Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa Support Initiative (GCGMSI) has extended its warm congratulations to His Excellency, Mallam Uba Sani, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, following his recent appointment as a Renewed Hope Ambassador and Deputy Director-General for Party Outreach, Engagement, and Mobilisation by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This felicitation was formally conveyed in a statement signed by the Initiative’s Convener, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani, Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, and disseminated to the press.
The statement highlighted that the Grand Patron of the GCGMSI, His Excellency General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, received the news of the appointment with great pride but without surprise. According to the statement, General Musa expressed unwavering confidence in Governor Uba Sani’s proven capability and salient leadership qualities, affirming that the Governor is eminently equipped to deliver on every task entrusted to him.
The Grand Patron further extended profound appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for recognising and finding Governor Uba Sani worthy of this critical national assignment. The appointment, which takes effect immediately, was made by the President in his capacity as the leader of the APC, citing the Governor’s exceptional organisational abilities and strategic acumen.
In his new role, Governor Sani is tasked with working in close collaboration with the Director-General of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and the party hierarchy, including the National Chairman of the APC. His primary mandate is to ensure harmony, inclusiveness, and strategic coordination across all levels of the party’s mobilization and engagement architecture, a vital function for advancing the political agenda.
Demonstrating its commitment to national service and effective governance, the GCGMSI, under the direct directive of its Grand Patron, General Musa, has officially mobilised its formidable structure. The Initiative has pledged the full deployment of its extensive network, seasoned personnel, and robust operational framework to assist and support Governor Uba Sani in the successful execution of his new responsibilities.
The Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa Support Initiative, renowned for its disciplined organisation, widespread grassroots penetration, and capacity for large-scale civic mobilisation, stands ready as a pivotal force. This move underscores the GCGMSI’s pivotal role as a key support system for national development initiatives and its unwavering dedication to fostering unity and progress under the Renewed Hope agenda.
Oyo 2027: Ajadi Says PDP Will Retain Power
…..Tasks PMS To Remain United, Peaceful
A leading People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has urged the people of Oyo State to remain steadfast, saying they will continue to enjoy good governance because the PDP will produce the next governor in the 2027 general elections.
Ajadi, who made this known while addressing transport unions under the Park Management System (PMS) at their headquarters, New Garage, Ibadan, on Tuesday, urged the park managers to remain united and maintain the love and peace currently prevalent among them.
According to him, “My advice to the Park Managers and the commercial drivers in Oyo State is that they should continue the love and peaceful attitudes. They should remain united. They should not ‘scattelegs’.
“Don’t let anybody deceive you, remain steadfast. Let me assure you that our party, the PDP, will produce the next governor come 2027,” Ajadi said.
He said he came to the PMS headquarters to meet with transporters and park managers to inform them of his aspiration to serve the people of Oyo State as governor come 2027.
“Today I joined my people, the park managers in Oyo State, to familiarize myself with them and inform them of my intention to serve the people of Oyo State as the next governor by the Grace of God.”
On the plans for the transporters, Ajadi said he first wants to change the look of the City Cabs, which will be done in collaboration with the Park Management System.
He also plans to increase the number of Mass Transit buses and make them available in all locations of the State.
He said the Mass Transit buses will operate in partnership with the Park Managers.
Ajadi, who commended Governor Makinde on the newly established bus terminals in the State, said his government will ensure adequate usage of the facilities.age of the facilities.
-
celebrity radar - gossips6 months agoWhy Babangida’s Hilltop Home Became Nigeria’s Political “Mecca”
-
society6 months agoPower is a Loan, Not a Possession: The Sacred Duty of Planting People
-
news6 months agoTHE APPOINTMENT OF WASIU AYINDE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS AN AMBASSADOR SOUNDS EMBARRASSING
-
society5 months agoReligion: Africa’s Oldest Weapon of Enslavement and the Forgotten Truth