- Safiu Kehinde
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has debunked claims of the minister allocating 2,082 hectares of land to one of his sons, Joaquin Wike.
NPO earlier Reported the Minister’s alleged of the land worth $3.6 billion to a company named after his son.
As contain in a exclusive report by Peoples Gazette, a leaked Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) document revealed that the hectares of land which spread across Maitama, Asokoro, Guazape and other parts of Abuja were allocated to one JOAQ Farms and Estate Limited.
Reacting to development in a statement issued on his X handle, Olayinka described the claims as another falsehood from the vault of those whose main job is to malign the FCT Minister.
The FCT Minister’s spokesperson held that not even a single plot of land has been allocated to any of the Minister’s children.
He described those behind the publication as quack journalists, who lacked basic training in journalism.
He accused the Peoples Gazette publisher of defamation, challenging the media outlet to provide evidence of any land allocation bearing the name of any of the Minister’s children.
The statement read; “My attention has been drawn to yet, another malicious falsehood coming from the same elements whose job is to defame and malign the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
“Even though it is the right of the Minister and members of his family, both immediate and extended to own lands anywhere in Nigeria, including the FCT, provided all necessary conditions are met, no land has been allocated to any of his children.
“In the publication, a Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) issued to JOAQ Farms and Estate Limited, for Agricultural purpose was the only evidence used to justify the claim.
“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.
“So what’s is wrong with a farmer getting land allocation strictly for the purpose of agriculture?
“Therefore, the publication, claiming that the FCT Minister allocated 2,082 hectares of land to his son, is false and should be disregarded.”