The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of being behind a recent allegation that he illegally allocated land in Abuja to his children. Wike dismissed the claims as baseless and politically motivated, describing them as a deliberate attempt to tarnish his image ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The allegation, which surfaced through various online platforms, claimed that Wike, in his capacity as FCT Minister, used his office to unlawfully allocate prime land in the Federal Capital Territory to his family members. However, Wike strongly denied the accusation and insisted that due process was followed in all land allocations under his administration.
Addressing the media, Wike stated that the claims were part of a coordinated campaign by political adversaries, particularly those loyal to Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), aimed at undermining his credibility. He argued that the timing of the allegations and the platforms through which they were circulated suggested a deliberate smear campaign linked to high-level political interests.
Wike alleged that Atiku and his political camp were unsettled by his increasing influence within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and his role in shaping key decisions in the FCT. He claimed that some members of the opposition were still bitter over the fallout from the 2023 elections and are now targeting him through false accusations in a bid to weaken his standing.
“This is pure blackmail,” Wike said. “There is no iota of truth in it. I challenge anyone making this allegation to bring forward any evidence that I allocated land to my children illegally. Everything done under my administration in the FCT follows due process and existing guidelines.”
He added that his actions as FCT Minister have been guided by transparency and fairness and that efforts to sanitise the capital’s land administration have drawn criticism from those who benefited from past irregularities. Wike claimed that some individuals who lost their grip on illegal land deals are now working with political figures to fabricate stories against him.
The FCT Minister also used the opportunity to warn those spreading false information that he would not hesitate to pursue legal action if the campaign continues. He said he remains committed to serving the country with integrity and would not be distracted by politically motivated attacks.
Wike’s comments come amid heightened political activity as several groups and individuals begin to realign ahead of the 2027 general elections. Tensions have grown between former allies within the PDP, particularly after the events of the 2023 elections, during which Wike and several other party leaders distanced themselves from Atiku’s presidential bid.
As a key figure in the G5 — a group of five PDP governors who opposed Atiku’s candidacy in 2023 — Wike’s relationship with the former vice president has remained strained. His subsequent appointment as FCT Minister by President Bola Tinubu, a member of the APC, further deepened political divisions within the opposition.
While the allegation of land allocation continues to circulate online, Wike has urged the public to disregard what he called “fabricated stories with no factual basis.” He said his record in public service would speak for itself and that his focus remains on delivering results in the FCT.
As of now, Atiku Abubakar has not publicly responded to the accusation made by Wike. Political analysts say the development reflects the deepening rivalry between prominent figures from the 2023 elections and may signal more intense political battles in the lead-up to 2027.
