Left Group Demands Probe Into Allegations of Land Grabbing by FCT Administration

By Chinedu Echianu

A group under the aegis of the Network of Abuja Left Groups has expressed outrage at what it described as the alleged siphoning of 2,082 hectares of prime Abuja land in Maitama and Asokoro, valued at $3.6 billion by the FCT Administration under the leadership of the Minister, Nyesom Wike

A news report had emerged earlier in the week, detailing how the massive land was appropriated illegally to a company belonging to the son of the FCT Minister, Joaquin Wike, an allegation that the minister vehemently denied through a statement released by his media aide, Lere Olayinka.

However, a press statement signed by Omole Ibukun of Creative Change Centre and nine other activists under the banner of the Network of Abuja Left Groups, has insisted on a probe on the allegations, which it said should be carried out by civil society groups especially on land allocations made by the Federal Capital Territory Administration from August 2023 till date.

The group also lamented the lingering industrial action embarked upon by primary school teachers in the FCT and local government workers in the six area councils of the Nation’s capital, alleging that there is more of corrupt enrichment by political office holders in the FCT Administration without any consideration for the plight of striking workers who are going hungry with their families and school children roaming the streets due to the closure of schools.

“This theft of Abuja’s land is not merely a property crime, but it is also an assault on our collective intelligence as the Nigerian people. It imperils the future of generations who deserve decent schools, clean water, and the free use of public spaces. We must let this scandal rouse us to solidarity, to collective action, to the rebuilding of political power from the ground up…” the statement read in parts.

The Group went ahead to make the following demands; “An independent, civil‑society‑led inquiry into every allocation signed by the FCT Minister since August 2023, with all findings made public.

“Any land handed to JOAQ Farms and Estates Ltd, or any company linked to the Minister’s family, must be returned to the public. Certificates of Occupancy issued in Maitama, Asokoro, Gaduwa, Guzape, Bwari by this FCTA administration must be revoked.

“Salaries withheld from teachers, health workers, water‑service and environmental‑protection staff must be paid in full, with back pay and compensation for the strike period.

“Reallocate recovered acres of Land to community‑managed public housing initiatives to ensure that land serves collective need, not private greed”.