Politics
Wike refutes PDP’s allegation of using land revocation to suppress opposition
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the revocation of its land title was a deliberate move to weaken the opposition.
Speaking on Friday during a visit by officials of the Body of Benchers, led by Chairman Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), Wike expressed dismay over the PDP’s claim that he was instructed to revoke its land in Abuja’s Central Area. He noted that executive actions in Nigeria were often misinterpreted through political, religious, and ethnic lenses.
According to Wike, the PDP’s land title was revoked due to its failure to pay the required ground rent for over a decade, not for political reasons. He disclosed that despite generating between N13 billion and N20 billion from the sale of party forms, the PDP had not paid the N7.6 million ground rent for its National Secretariat land.
He further revealed that Wadata Plaza, the PDP’s current National Secretariat, was not officially registered under the party but under a senator residing in Abuja. The property owner had reportedly failed to pay the ground rent for 28 years.
“Maybe they had a deal with the man and did not complete the deed of assignment, and now they are shouting that Wike was sent to revoke the land to kill the opposition. What kind of mentality is that?” Wike questioned.
The FCT minister emphasized that the revocation of land titles was not exclusive to the PDP. He stated that other institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), were also affected due to non-payment of ground rent.
Wike disclosed that the CBN had requested a reversal of its land revocation, but he insisted that outstanding fees must be cleared before any reconsideration.
He also urged the Body of Benchers to ensure compliance with ground rent payments, warning that no defaulters would be spared.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that on March 17, 2025, Wike approved the revocation of 4,794 land titles due to non-payment of ground rent for over 10 years. The affected parties included individuals, corporate organizations, and government institutions.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed speculations that its investigation into an alleged money laundering case is connected to political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
In a statement released on Friday, the EFCC clarified that the probe is strictly focused on criminal allegations of conspiracy and money laundering, with no ties to any political actor. The Commission emphasized its commitment to impartiality and adherence to the law in the fight against corruption.
According to the EFCC, the investigation began in 2022. However, the suspect attempted to secure an injunction preventing her arrest and prosecution. The Federal High Court in Abuja overturned the order on February 19, 2025, ruling that law enforcement agencies have the constitutional authority to investigate any individual suspected of committing a crime.
Additionally, the court upheld an interim forfeiture order on the suspect’s assets, which were alleged to be proceeds of crime, dismissing her legal challenge as lacking merit.
“The EFCC’s case has no connection, direct or indirect, with any politician or political transaction. The Commission remains non-partisan and committed to its mandate of fighting corruption,” the statement read.
The anti-graft agency urged the public to disregard any claims of political interference and continue supporting its efforts to combat economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.
Political analyst and former presidential aide Reno Omokri has pledged to dismantle the Obidient movement, citing personal threats and a fallout with Peter Obi as key reasons.
Speaking on Breakfast Central on Thursday, Omokri denied harboring a personal vendetta but expressed disappointment over Obi’s political trajectory. He claimed to have played a pivotal role in Obi’s rise, including securing his 2019 vice-presidential candidacy alongside Atiku Abubakar.
“Peter Obi was a project of mine,” Omokri stated, emphasizing his involvement with Senator Ben Murray-Bruce and a former president in pushing Obi’s nomination.
While Obi’s abrupt departure from the PDP initially strained relations, Omokri said the real issue stemmed from the behavior of Obi’s supporters, which he views as unacceptable.
Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga has cautioned former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, over his remarks suggesting that democracy in Nigeria has collapsed.
Obi made the statement on Monday at the 60th birthday colloquium of Emeka Ihedioha in Abuja, lamenting that the progress since 1999 had been eroded.
He cited his own experience of winning a governorship mandate through the courts without interference, stating that such impartiality no longer exists today.
Reacting on Tuesday, Onanuga dismissed Obi’s claims as exaggerated, insisting that Nigeria’s democracy has only strengthened over the past 26 years.
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