Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike is at the center of a growing scandal involving allegations of large-scale allocation of Abuja land to close family members and associates.

According to documents cited by Peoples Gazette, Wike approved at least 33 land allocations, including one to his 90-year-old father, Joshua Nlemanya Wike, for a plot in Guzape II valued at N400 million. The approvals, all dated July 16, 2025, also included lands for:

• Believe Wike (paternal cousin)

• Victor Wike (nephew)

• Henry Wike (nephew)

• Enwusonye Promise Wike (cousin)

Additionally, eight relatives of James Hunwo received land allocations on the same day.

Repeat Pattern of Allocations

This isn’t the first time Minister Wike has been accused of channeling land to his relatives. In April 2025, six other family members—his siblings—were granted plots in Guzape II:

• Vincent Ejike Wike – 2,200 sqm (File: RV62586)

• Chidi Sam Wike – 2,195 sqm (File: RV62598)

• Chituru Wike – 2,158 sqm (File: RV62599)

• Christian Ibebulachi Wike – 2,178 sqm (File: RV62603)

• Collins Ngeme Wike – 2,813 sqm (File: RV62604)

• Emmanuel Okanwene Wike – 2,716 sqm (File: RV62605)

Boasting About Presidential Influence

Sources within the administration told Peoples Gazette that Wike has been boasting about his political importance, claiming President Bola Tinubu owes him for significant contributions during the 2023 elections.

“He keeps reminding us of how much he invested in helping the president win,” said one official. “He insists that no judge in Nigeria today would dare convict him.”

Whistleblower Arrest and Alleged Harassment

The controversy deepened on July 2, 2025, when police arrested Mairiga Hassan Shaharu, a staff member of the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), allegedly as part of efforts to trace the source of leaked documents exposing the land allocations.

Shaharu, who works in AGIS’s Fresh Applications Unit, was detained illegally. A forged detention warrant was later uncovered, and he was released after human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and legal counsel intervened.

Minister’s Mental State Questioned

Insiders say Minister Wike has grown increasingly erratic and paranoid since the scandal broke. “He’s been drinking more heavily and verbally lashing out at staff—and even at his wife,” one official claimed. His wife, Justice Eberechi Suzette Nyesom-Wike, is a federal appellate judge.

Multi-Billion Dollar Allocations to Sons

Additional reports reveal that 3,822 hectares of land, with an estimated value of $6.45 billion, were allocated to Wike’s sons:

• Jordan Wike (age 25)

• Joaquin Wike (age 23)

Widespread Outrage and Political Fallout

The revelations have sparked intense criticism. While some unverified groups have defended the minister, many civil society voices and watchdog groups describe the land allocations as blatant abuse of office.

Peoples Gazette reported that Wike gave verbal orders bypassing legal procedures and statutory payment requirements, allowing his relatives to receive land with minimal scrutiny.

Presidency Caught in a Dilemma

Despite public backlash, President Tinubu has not taken decisive action. Aides revealed the president is torn between two options:

1. Sacking Wike to improve his administration’s image ahead of 2027.

2. Retaining him to benefit from his financial and political clout during the next election cycle.

“The president didn’t instruct Wike to convert public land into personal wealth,” one official admitted. “But that wealth may prove useful in the coming campaign.”

No Movement on Investigation Panel

Although a panel was reportedly established to investigate Wike’s conduct, officials say it has not yet summoned the minister, more than three weeks after its formation.

Constitutional Violations and Legal Inaction

Wike’s actions appear to directly violate the Fifth Schedule, Part I of the Nigerian Constitution, which criminalizes using public office for personal or family enrichment.

However, neither the EFCC nor the ICPC—Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies—has initiated an active investigation. Both are part of the executive branch and would need the president’s approval to probe or charge a sitting minister.

Civil Society Takes Action

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) has filed formal petitions with the ICPC, urging a full-scale investigation. The group described Wike’s actions as “reckless abuse of office and primitive accumulation of public assets.”