From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Federal Capital Territory minister, Lere Olayinka, has refuted claims circulating online that the Minister, Nyesom Wike, allocated a sprawling 2,082 hectares in the high-brow districts of Maitama and Asokoro to one of his sons, labelling the allegations as another falsehood from the vault of those whose main job is to malign the FCT minister.
In a statement, Olayinka asserted: “Not even a single plot of land has been allocated to any of the Minister’s children.” He launched a scathing critique against those responsible for the publication, describing them as quack journalists, lacking fundamental journalistic training.
“Where is 2,082 hectares in Maitama and Asokoro?”
Challenging the credibility of the report, Olayinka questioned the feasibility of such a large land allocation in the densely populated and developed areas mentioned. “In Asokoro and Maitama of today, where can the FCT minister see 2,082 hectares to allocate to anyone?” he queried, adding, “Only quack journalists will go to town with story of allocation of 2,082 hectares in Asokoro and Maitama; that’s why some of us have continually advocated for professionalism in journalism.”
The FCT minister’s spokesperson directly challenged the online publisher to provide concrete evidence of any land allocation bearing the name of any of the Minister’s children. He described the publication as “malicious and bitterly painted.”
He explained that his attention had been drawn to “yet, another malicious falsehood coming from the same elements whose jobs are to defame and malign the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.” He clarified that while it was within the rights of the Minister and his family to own land in Nigeria, including the FCT, provided all conditions were met, but insisted that no such allocation had been made to his children.
He addressed the “evidence” presented in the publication, which cited a Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) issued to JOAQ Farms and Estate Limited for agricultural purposes. He clarified: “For the avoidance of doubt, JOAQ Farms and Estate Limited, a company duly registered in Nigeria got land allocation in Bwari Area Council for the purpose of farming.”
He concluded by asking rhetorically, “So what’s wrong with a farmer getting land allocation strictly for the purpose of agriculture?”
In a firm rebuttal, the Senior Special Assistant reiterated that “the publication, claiming that the FCT minister allocated 2,082 hectares to his son, is false and should be disregarded.” This statement aims to quell the ongoing speculations and criticisms surrounding the FCT minister’s actions regarding land allocations in the federal capital.