Wike has reportedly allocated land to his 90-year-old father, siblings, cousins and cronies in Abuja.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is wielding unchecked political influence within President Bola Tinubu’s administration, amid mounting allegations of large-scale land allocations to his family and inner circle as has been shown in a report by Peoples Gazette.
According to documents obtained by Peoples Gazette seen by NewsOnline Nigeria, just days after a damning exposé was published on July 1, 2025, Wike expanded his list of beneficiaries and began signing off new land approvals, 33 in total for relatives and longtime associates. The controversial move reportedly occurred while a presidential panel was said to be quietly investigating earlier allegations.
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Among the beneficiaries is Wike’s father, Joshua Nlemanya Wike, who, at age 90, was granted over 1,000 square metres of prime land in Guzape II, Abuja, estimated at N400 million. Other family members listed include cousins, nephews, and childhood friends, all hailing from Rivers State.
Sources within the FCT Administration say Wike issued verbal directives to bypass standard procedures, such as payment of statutory charges, before clearing these allocations. “He rules this place like someone who doesn’t believe he’ll ever be asked to account,” one official stated anonymously.
This development follows earlier allocations made in April to six other members of Wike’s extended family, bringing the total number of known land beneficiaries tied to him to at least 39.
Officials allege Wike has been vocal about his political investments in the Tinubu campaign, often boasting that “no one, including the president or a Nigerian court, can touch him.” The former Rivers governor was instrumental in delivering controversial election results in his home state during the 2023 presidential election, widely criticized for favouring Tinubu over Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi.
Despite the gravity of the accusations, a presidential investigative panel formed three weeks ago has yet to summon Wike. Analysts believe President Tinubu is caught in a dilemma, either sacrifice a powerful political ally or risk public backlash for condoning corruption.
A source within the presidency admitted: “The president is torn. Removing Wike might help boost his public image, but keeping him ensures money and political muscle for 2027.”
The Nigerian Constitution expressly forbids public officers from using their position to enrich family members. Legal experts say Wike’s actions, if proven, could warrant immediate dismissal and prosecution.
Meanwhile, anti-graft bodies like the EFCC and ICPC have yet to take definitive action, citing presidential clearance as a prerequisite to probe a serving cabinet member. Civil society group HEDA Resource Centre has filed formal petitions against Wike, describing his conduct as “reckless abuse of power and primitive accumulation of public assets.”
Wike has denied all wrongdoing and claims media reports misrepresented the facts. The presidency and Wike’s media aides have declined further comment as pressure mounts on the administration to act.
This latest scandal raises critical questions about the real centers of power within the Tinubu government—and whether accountability still has a place in Nigeria’s highest offices.
Stay with us for continued coverage of this developing story.
