Allegations of Land Grabbing, Cronyism & "Cronies" Land Allocations in the FCT: Unpacking the Controversy

  In the heart of Nigeria's capital, where dreams of homeownership collide with bureaucratic mazes, land is more than dirt—it's power, legacy, and controversy. Since Nyesom Wike assumed office as Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister in 2023, his aggressive reforms have transformed Abuja's skyline. Roads are widening, rail lines are extending, and idle plots are being reclaimed. But beneath the progress lies a storm of allegations: land grabbing, cronyism, and selective allocations favoring "cronies." premiumtimesng.com
  At House Unlimited Nigeria, as ethical real estate agents navigating this terrain, we see the human impact daily. This post dissects the claims, the defenses, and the path forward—drawing on recent reports and public discourse.

The Spark: Wike's Land Reforms and Mass Revocations
  Wike's tenure has been defined by a "Renewed Hope" overhaul of FCT land administration. In November 2025, he approved the revocation of 1,095 properties—835 for unpaid ground rent and 260 for land use violations—across prime districts like Maitama, Asokoro, and Garki. premiumtimesng.com This follows earlier waves: 568 titles yanked in January 2025 for similar defaults, including high-profile ones like Imo Governor Hope Uzodinma's plot. dailyreviewonline-ng.com
  The minister justifies these under Section 28 of the 1978 Land Use Act, which empowers revocation for non-compliance. leadership.ng "If you fail to develop or pay dues, I have the right to reclaim," Wike stated during a November 2025 SSDC visit. leadership.ng Proponents hail it as curbing speculation—dormant lands hoarded by elites, blocking affordable housing for ordinary Nigerians. authorityngr.com Civil society groups like the Peace & Security Network (PSN) passed a vote of confidence in November 2025, praising the digital portal for titling and enforcement against illegal occupations. authorityngr.com "These reforms restore order and protect public lands," PSN's James Okoronkwo declared. authorityngr.com
Yet, for every reclaimed plot, a story emerges of perceived injustice.

The Allegations: Cronyism and Selective Grabs
  Critics paint a darker picture: reforms as a veil for favoritism. The most explosive claims surfaced in June 2025, when Sahara Reporters alleged Wike allocated over 2,000 hectares—worth $3.6 billion—in Maitama and Asokoro to his son Joaquin via Joaq Farms and Estates Ltd. saharareporters.com A follow-up in July exposed 1,740 hectares ($2.85 billion) to firstborn Jordan through Jordan Farms. gazettengr.com These firms, registered October 2024 at Wike's Wuse II address, received approvals Wike personally signed on February 25, 2025—six for Joaquin alone. saharareporters.com President Tinubu ordered a probe, but Wike dismissed it as "malicious propaganda" from political foes. opitanglobalmedia.com +1 His aide, Lere Olayinka, challenged skeptics: "Produce evidence—no such allocation exists." creebhills.com
  The widow's tale amplifies the human cost. In December 2024, 84-year-old Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor accused Wike of revoking her family's 2.5-hectare Life Camp estate—allocated in 1984 to her late husband, Col. Paul Ogbebor—and reassigning it to Saravera Nigeria Ltd., linked to House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda. naijanews.com Despite paying ground rent, Rita claims bureaucratic delays stalled her C of O renewal; Wike labeled the estate a "criminal haven." naijanews.com Social media erupted, with activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) amplifying her plea, denying threats against Wike amid backlash. premiumtimesng.com Olayinka countered: "Show your R of O—no grabbing occurred." nationalaccordnewspaper.com Rita's son, Osaruonanen, insists they complied, calling it "inheritance theft." naijanews.com
  Other cases fuel the fire: July 2025 revocation of 7,000 hectares from University of Abuja, slashing its 11,000-hectare allocation—branded "institutional grabbing" by Prof. Lar Patricia Manko. thenigeriaeducationnews.com November 2025 saw 30 hectares yanked from military officers (including ex-Naval Chief Awwal Gambo) and reallocated to allies, allegedly including INEC Chair Prof. Sam Amupitan. saharareporters.com The Army challenged Wike to court, citing ignored 2014 approvals. saharareporters.com September 2025 exposed Wike's wife transferring $6M Florida lakeside homes to their children—undeclared assets violating rules, per Chidi Odinkalu. saharareporters.com
  On X, sentiment boils: @OyokunyiOkon demands Wike's resignation over "land grabbing and abroad mansions," while @gabriel_bolatit questions endless controversies. Hashtags like #WikeLandScandal trend, blending outrage with calls for probes.

The Defense: Reforms, Not Robbery
  Wike's camp frames it as necessity. "Land grabbing is a cliché for those resisting change," Olayinka quipped in December 2024. thenewsguru.com Revocations target defaulters—over 261,000 Area Council documents pending since 2006, with just 0.9% titled. economicconfidential.com April 2025 reforms mandate 21-day payments for R of O, streamlining via a paperless portal. myfctagov.ng +1 Mass housing titling begins April 21, 2025, per Director Chijioke Nwankwoeze. myfctagov.ng
  Civil society backs this: Alliance for FCT Progress (AFFP) plans protests against "fraudulent developers and blackmailers," lauding Wike's Master Plan restoration. blueprint.ng PSN echoes: "Accountability for all, including security personnel." authorityngr.com Wike's New Year 2025 message vows sustained reforms for "prosperity and unity." punchng.com Enforcement nets billions in IGR, funding infrastructure like the Abuja Rail. economicconfidential.com
  Yet, CSOs like Conference of Civil Society for Transparency decry "suspicious revocations" of green areas, urging Tinubu's independent panel. saharareporters.com CERADF pushes environmental courts amid waste crises tied to unchecked development. tribuneonlineng.com

Implications for Abuja's Real Estate: Buyers Beware
  For families like the Ogbebows or investors eyeing Gwarinpa plots, this chaos erodes trust. Prices fluctuate wildly—Katampe plots up 780% since 2018—amid fears of overnight revocations. opitanglobalmedia.com At House Unlimited, we advise: Verify R of O/C of O via FCTA portal; pay dues promptly; avoid "omomiles" touts. nationalaccordnewspaper.com Reforms could unlock affordable housing, but without transparency, they risk alienating the middle class.
  Wike's defenders see a crusader against elite hoarding; detractors, a power player consolidating via kin. atlanticpostng.com As probes loom and X rages, one truth endures: Abuja's land is finite, and its stewards wield immense sway.

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House Unlimited Nigeria – Navigating Abuja's Land Maze with Integrity