The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has firmly refuted allegations that he secretly allocated over 2,000 hectares of land in Abuja’s elite Maitama and Asokoro districts to his son.

The allegation, which first surfaced via an online platform (not DAILY GAZETTE), claimed Wike facilitated the issuance of a Right of Occupancy in the name of JOAQ Farms and Estate Limited, a company reportedly linked to his family.

The report suggested that land meant for agricultural use was instead being used as a cover for private enrichment.

Reacting to the claims, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, issued a strong rebuttal, describing the story as part of a deliberate campaign to smear the Minister’s image.

“Not even a single plot of land has been allocated to any of the minister’s children,” Olayinka stated in a press release on Thursday.

He went on to dismiss the allegations as baseless and absurd, questioning the credibility of the source and the feasibility of the claim itself.

“In Asokoro and Maitama of today, where can the FCT minister see 2,082 hectares of land to allocate to anyone?”

Olayinka described the report as a fabrication peddled by unprofessional media operators.

“Only quack journalists will go to town with the story of allocation of 2,082 hectares of land in Asokoro and Maitama, the reason some of us have continually advocated for professionalism in journalism,” he said.

He also accused the unnamed publisher of engaging in a coordinated effort to malign the minister.

“My attention has been drawn to yet another malicious falsehood coming from the same elements whose job is to defame and malign the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike,” Olayinka added.

The recent resignation of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje from his role as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has sparked speculation within the party, with a prominent chieftain suggesting that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso could emerge as a potential successor.

Though Ganduje, who hails from the North West, had been occupying a position originally zoned to the North Central, the party stalwart who spoke on condition of anonymity believes internal zoning disagreements may have played a role in his departure.

“It is possible that Ganduje might have been consumed by the zoning crisis because that position belonged to North Central before Ganduje was confirmed. It does not belong to North West,” the source said.

Describing the chairmanship as a politically volatile position, the chieftain added, “Ganduje might have been forced to resign because a self-resignation of this instance is not expected.”

“Yet it is not surprising because that seat is very hot. We know what has happened to his successors, so it is hard to see a Chairman who completes his tenure as APC Chairman. We saw what happened to Abdullahi Adamu, Oshiomhole, and others.”

The source further questioned whether President Bola Tinubu would be willing to bypass the North Central region again in favor of Kwankwaso, who also comes from the same geopolitical zone as Ganduje.

Still, he noted a growing momentum in support of Kwankwaso’s entry into the party and eventual leadership.

When asked whether Ganduje’s resignation was linked to tensions with Vice President Kashim Shettima, the chieftain dismissed the idea, suggesting instead that recent political developments were strategic moves by the presidency.

He explained, “The drama in Gombe State at the Northeast APC endorsement meeting was cooked to spike the Northeast party members, to check their readiness for the 2027 election.”

“If you check the contribution of APC in the Northeast during the 2023 election, you will agree with me that it was insignificant.”

“So, what happened last week was intended to wake them up. I don’t think the President intended to remove Shettima, and the drama can’t be attributed to Ganduje.”

Regarding any potential fallout for the APC in Kano, particularly in the lead-up to the 2027 elections, the source expressed confidence that Tinubu’s chances would not be negatively affected.

“It is not necessarily possible for Ganduje’s resignation to threaten Tinubu’s chance in Kano because I don’t think Ganduje will fight back. You know Ganduje is a very loyal and committed member of APC,” he said.

Concluding his thoughts, the APC chieftain hinted at what he sees as a likely shift in leadership dynamics within the party.

“But what I’m thinking, the way the wave of permutations is going, Kwankwaso may likely emerge as new APC Chairman. This is my personal observation. Kwankwaso will join APC soon.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched an official investigation into alleged corruption and abuse of office by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, following reports that he allocated billions of naira worth of Abuja land to his son, Joaquin.

According to sources at the State House, Mr. Tinubu gave the directive on Thursday night, although final arrangements for the probe were concluded on Friday afternoon.

“The president agreed that the minister’s activity as reported in the media was suspicious and ordered a probe to determine if he had illegally enriched himself,” a presidential aide told DAILY GAZETTE by telephone Friday afternoon.

The probe will be coordinated by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the official disclosed.

“The SGF’s office would be coordinating the probe, and we encourage anyone who may have seen any wrongdoing in government to always bring such to the attention of the administration,” the official added, requesting anonymity to speak about the matter.

It remains unclear whether Nigeria’s major anti-corruption bodies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), will be involved. A request for comment sent to the SGF, George Akume, had not been answered as of press time.

Insiders also noted that the probe has not yet been publicly announced because the president is treading carefully to avoid appearing confrontational toward Mr. Wike, who has received praise for his performance in managing federal projects in Abuja.

Nonetheless, prominent anti-corruption campaigner Lanre Suraju has called for a thorough and open process.

“That is most astonishing, but we need to be careful, going by past experiences of camaraderie and solidarity in public office and the president’s several public praises of Mr Wike,” Suraju said.

“Such panels need to make public their process and involve the services of seasoned investigators from law enforcement agencies in conducting investigations, including forensic and CAC registry analysis.”

It was earlier reported that Mr. Wike allocated about 2,082 hectares of land, prime property in Maitama and Asokoro districts, in the name of his son, Joaquin.

Experts estimate the real estate to be worth more than $3.6 billion.

After public backlash, Mr. Wike responded by claiming the land was allocated to Joaq Farms and Estates Ltd strictly for agricultural purposes.

However, he did not clarify that the company is linked to his son.

In his defense, Wike maintained that his actions were legal.

The minister also stated that no laws barred him from granting land rights to his family members.

However, this stance appears to be in conflict with Nigeria’s Constitution.

Article 5 of the Fifth Schedule clearly forbids public officials from using their position for personal enrichment.

When asked whether Mr. Wike would cooperate with the investigation, his spokesperson declined to comment.

President Bola Tinubu has reportedly brokered a peace deal to resolve the political crisis in Rivers State, paving the way for the reinstatement of the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

However, the governor’s return to office is said to come with strict conditions.

According to a report by The Cable, the resolution was reached during a late-night meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja between President Tinubu and key stakeholders, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and other aggrieved parties.

Under the terms of the agreement, Fubara will be allowed to return to office and complete his four-year tenure, but he must not contest for a second term in 2027.

In addition, the deal reportedly grants Wike full authority to nominate all chairpersons across the 23 local government areas in Rivers State.

As part of the settlement, Governor Fubara is also expected to pay all outstanding allowances and entitlements owed to the 27 state lawmakers who are aligned with Wike and were previously suspended from the House of Assembly.

Furthermore, the agreement includes a non-impeachment clause: the lawmakers, once reinstated, will refrain from initiating any impeachment proceedings against Fubara.

The Taraba State House of Assembly has refuted reports suggesting it is planning to remove Deputy Governor Aminu Alkali, who is currently undergoing medical treatment in Abuja.

Addressing journalists in Jalingo on Thursday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Nelson Len, categorically denied the speculation, asserting that no such plan is under consideration by the state legislature.

“We call on the general public to disregard the speculations that the assembly is preparing to declare the deputy governor incapacitated,” he said.

Len assured that Alkali is expected to resume official duties once he fully recovers from his illness, and clarified that none of the three arms of government in Taraba State had initiated any process to remove or replace him.

He emphasized the commitment of the government to support the deputy governor’s recovery.

“Efforts are ongoing to ensure his full recovery and return to office,” he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Alkali has been on medical leave since November 2024, prompting concerns in some quarters about the length of his absence and its implications for governance in the state.

Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has reportedly stepped down from his position, plunging the party’s headquarters into a state of confusion.

Although details surrounding his sudden resignation remain sketchy at the moment, a senior official within the APC confirmed the development in a brief comment.

“Yes, it is true. He has resigned,” the party official said.

Adding to the growing speculation, sources disclosed that Ganduje’s personal effects were quietly removed from his office at the APC national secretariat earlier in the day.

This action intensified rumors about his exit, although no formal statement had been issued by the party or the former Kano State governor at the time of reporting.

The atmosphere at the APC’s national headquarters in Abuja was described as tense and bewildering, with staff and visitors visibly unsettled by the breaking news.

Many expressed shock at the unexpected turn of events, as Ganduje’s resignation had not been publicly anticipated.

As of press time, the APC is yet to announce a successor or comment officially on the implications of the chairman’s departure.

The State Chairmen of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have expressed their full support for the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, along with two other members of the National Working Committee (NWC), over serious allegations of financial impropriety.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Femi Olaniyi, Chairman of the Lagos State chapter and leader of the forum of state chairmen, emphasized the need for accountability within the party.

He called on the suspended officials to step aside and allow for an impartial investigation into the allegations leveled against them by the NWC.

“The suspended officials should allow for a thorough investigation into allegations brought against them by the NWC,” Olaniyi stated.

Joined by 22 other state chairmen, Olaniyi underscored the SDP’s commitment to genuine transparency and anti-corruption efforts.

He dismissed suggestions that the move was driven by internal politics or future electoral ambitions.

“The fight against corruption must be genuine and open, as these are very vital in the SDP,” he said.

“The party is very open to a coalition that will liberate Nigeria.”

Reassuring party members and Nigerians at large, Olaniyi clarified that the current shake-up within the party leadership is not related to a political struggle or external influences from other political parties.

“The leadership cleansing in the SDP is not about power play or 2027 or Coalition or APC, PDP or other conspiracy theories but about doing the right thing in the party,” he added.

Earlier this week, on Tuesday, the NWC officially suspended Gabam along with Nze Nnadi Clarkson, the party’s National Auditor, and Uchechukwu Chukwuma, the National Youth Leader.

They are all facing allegations of financial misconduct, including embezzlement, misappropriation, and the diversion of party funds.

According to a statement issued by SDP National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the decision to suspend the three officials came after a meeting of the NWC, during which substantial evidence was presented.

“In exercise of its exclusive powers as guaranteed in Articles 19.1, 19.3(i) and 19.5 of the Party Constitution (2022 as amended), the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has approved the immediate suspension of the National Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, along with two members of the National Working Committee (NWC), namely, Nze Nnadi Clarkson, National Auditor, and Uchechukwu Chukwuma, National Youth Leader, over grave allegations of gross financial misconduct, embezzlement, misappropriation, and diversion of party funds,” the statement read.

“The decision followed a resolution of a meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC), where overwhelming evidence was presented linking the suspended officials to a series of unauthorised financial transactions, personal enrichment schemes, and movement of funds from the party’s accounts without necessary approvals of the NWC.”