Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the National Assembly, has made a serious allegation against the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, accusing him of allocating land to his son at a significantly reduced rate—just 1% of its actual value.
The claim surfaced in a 43-second video clip from an interview Kingibe granted to Arise TV, which went viral on Friday.
In the clip, the senator alleged that land worth N200 million was allocated to Wike’s son for only N2 million—a 99% discount. She said she had obtained official documents to support her claims.
“I have documents to show that Minister Wike allocated land to his son—huge tracts of land,” Kingibe stated. “As his son, they may be entitled to land, but they requested a waiver to reduce the bills of N200 million and another N100 million elsewhere. Within 48 hours, the price was slashed to N2 million. At the very least, it is unfair and unethical.”
This revelation follows earlier reports claiming that the FCT minister had allocated 2,000 hectares of land to his second son, Joaoquin.
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In his response, Wike did not directly confirm or deny the alleged discount but insisted that his children, like any other Nigerians, have the right to own land in the country.
“Assuming, though not conceding, that my children applied for land—are they not Nigerians? Are they Ghanaians?” he asked rhetorically. “Even if they applied, does my position as minister disqualify them from being entitled to land?”
However, Wike firmly denied the allegation that he allocated vast hectares of land in Maitama and Asokoro—two of Abuja’s most exclusive districts—to his sons. He described the claims as politically motivated falsehoods orchestrated from Adamawa State, although he did not name the alleged mastermind.
“First, calculate the total land space in Maitama and Asokoro and tell me where you can find 2,000 hectares. It’s impossible,” Wike said. “I know where the story is coming from. It is from Adamawa State. I am aware.”
Online reports had claimed that Wike allocated 2,082 hectares of land to one of his sons through a company named JOAQ Farms and Estates Limited, and another 1,740 hectares to his other son, Jordan—bringing the total to 3,822 hectares, allegedly worth $6.45 billion.
Wike has dismissed the figures as baseless, calling on his critics to produce credible documentation.
“The whole thing is rubbish. Where in Maitama and Asokoro can you find 2,000 hectares? Bring the documents, bring empirical evidence,” he challenged.
The latest controversy is one of several public disagreements between Senator Kingibe and Minister Wike, both of whom have been at loggerheads over the governance and direction of the Federal Capital Territory.
