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By Christopher Oji
The former South East spokesman to President Bola Tinubu, Josef Onoh, has said that allegations against the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the calls by politicians and individuals for his sack, were baseless and inflammatory.
He pointed out that the allegations were rooted in speculation and devoid of concrete evidence, stressing that they were attempts to tarnish his reputation and undermine his transformative efforts in the FCT.
He said Wike’s actions were lawful, transparent and in the best interest of the FCT’s development.
Responding to allegations of illegal land allocation by Wike, he said they lack evidence and legal basis and were amplified by references to unverified reports which asserted that Wike had engaged in illegal land allocations to family members and associates.
He noted that the allegations remain unsubstantiated, as no credible evidence has been presented to the public or relevant authorities. Referencing the Nigeria Constitution (1999, as amended) Onoh said: “Section 36(1) guarantees the right to a fair hearing, which includes the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Their failure to provide documentary proof, as challenged by Wike’s aide, Lere Olayinka, renders these accusations a mere hearsay.
“The Land Use Act of 1978, which governs land administration in Nigeria, vests the authority to allocate land in the FCT minister as the custodian of all land in the territory. Wike’s actions, as he stated, were executed within the legal framework of the Abuja masterplan, ensuring that allocations align with urban planning and development objectives.
“Having served as the first Executive Chairman of Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority, I am highly knowledgeable of the demands and operations of such office. For instance, Wike has clarified that large allocations, such as those alleged, are earmarked for infrastructural expansion and affordable housing schemes, not personal enrichment.
“Also, accusation that Wike’s actions constitute a disregard for the rule of law is a misrepresentation of the minister’s constitutional mandate. Under Section 302 of the 1999 Constitution, the FCT minister exercises delegated authority from the president to administer the federal capital territory, including land allocation and revocation.
“Unfortunately, his critics were more desperate to criticise rather than being informed, hence, they failed to realise that Wike’s authority includes the discretion to revoke land titles that violate the Abuja masterplan or land held without proper documentation, as seen in his numerous efforts to address illegal land occupations, such as the case with the University of Abuja’s disputed 11,000 hectares.
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“Even the revocation of land from an embassy, as alleged, if true, falls within Wike’s powers under the Land Use Act, provided due process was followed, such as issuing notices and providing alternative allocations where necessary. Without specific evidence of illegality, such actions cannot be deemed impunity. “Moreover, Wike’s public defence that no land has been allocated to his relatives, including his sons, underscores his adherence to legal processes as records of all allocations are available for scrutiny the critics ought to have explored before rushing to make inflammatory statements.
“Their assertion that Wike’s 95-year-old father and children, who have never worked, acquired prime lands is a speculative attack lacking substantiation. Wike has categorically denied allocating land to his sons, Joaquin and Jordan, or any relatives, questioning the plausibility of such vast allocations in prime areas like Maitama and Asokoro.
“He further argued that, even if his children applied for land, they are Nigerian citizens entitled to equal treatment under the law, as guaranteed by Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits discrimination based on status or association.
“The Code of Conduct for Public Officers (Fifth Schedule, Part 1, 1999 Constitution) prohibits public officials from engaging in conflicts of interest, such as using their office for personal gain. However, his critics failed to present any evidence to show that he personally benefited from or directed allocations to his family.
“Allegations linking companies like JOAQ Farms and Estates Ltd or Jordan Farms and Estates Ltd to his sons remain unproven, and he has dismissed them as politically motivated propaganda as well. I would not have graced his critics with a response had they not dragged President Bola Tinubu in the baseless statement by criticizing him in what was termed Tinubu’s ‘silence,’ which is totally misleading, as the President has already ordered an investigation into similar allegations involving Wike’s son Joaquin, demonstrating a commitment to accountability.
“This probe, coordinated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, indicates that the administration is not complicit but is actively addressing the claims. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) operate independently under the EFCC Act (2004) and ICPC Act (2000), and their investigations are not contingent on public outcry but on credible evidence and they failed to provide.
“The National Assembly’s oversight role is indeed critical, but it’s on record that the allegations have been challenged for their lack of specificity and failure to present evidence to anti-corruption agencies or the public. Hence, it’s safe to assume that the national Assembly’s silence may reflect a lack of actionable evidence rather than complicity, as oversight requires verified information to proceed. So far, they have not provided such any other than making a public spectacle of their emotions over common sense most especially the portrayal of Wike as a corrupt official hiding behind “flashy projects,” but in the contrary, Wike’s tenure has been marked by significant infrastructural advancements in the FCT. Projects such as the construction of access roads, solar street lighting, and urban renewal initiatives in areas like Ushafa demonstrate Wike’s commitment to the public good. “These efforts align with the FCT’s development objectives and have been praised by various groups and individuals. Unfortunately, the comparison to former Minister Betta Edu is inapt, as Edu’s case involved specific financial mismanagement allegations with documented evidence, whereas the claims against Wike remain speculative.
“The minister’s actions in revoking illegally acquired lands and enforcing the Abuja Master Plan are not only lawful but necessary to restore order and protect the FCT’s development framework. I faced such negative attacks during my tenure as the Executive chairman of Enugu capital territory development authority which unfortunately theybdo not have experience to understand the rigorous challenges of such an office which was clearly demonstrated by their reckless statements which for their information risk violating Section 391 of the Penal Code Act, which criminalizes defamation when false statements are made to harm a person’s reputation.
“Finally, their reckless statements are politically motivated and were aimed at discrediting Nyesom Wike, whose reforms have disrupted entrenched interests in the FCT. Under the Land Use Act and the 1999 Constitution, Wike’s actions as FCT Minister are lawful and within his authority. The absence of credible evidence, coupled with the minister’s transparent defense and President Tinubu’s proactive investigation, refutes claims of impunity or corruption. I dare them to present their evidence to the EFCC, ICPC, or the courts, as required by law, rather than resorting to media sensationalism. Minister Wike’s focus on transforming the FCT into a model capital territory should be supported, not undermined by baseless accusations, “he stated.
