How Wike Revoked 30 Hectares of Military Land, Reallocated to Associates Including INEC Chair Amupitan
By Enemona Samuel Endurance | The Bureau News
ABUJA — Nigeria News Today: Fresh revelations have surfaced over the controversial Abuja land dispute that led to the heated confrontation between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, and military officers on Tuesday. The disputed land, measuring about 30 hectares, was reportedly originally allocated to serving and retired military personnel but was later revoked and reassigned to new owners allegedly linked to Wike’s political circle.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike accused of revoking military land and reallocating it to political allies including INEC Chair Prof. Sam Amupitan — The Bureau News.
Dispute over revoked military land
According to The Bureau News findings, a legal practitioner involved in the case revealed that the land in question — located in the Gaduwa District of Abuja — had been designated for parks and recreation before Wike’s administration allegedly changed its use to “multi-purpose” and issued new Rights of Occupancy (RofO) to private individuals.
“Wike revoked the land, which totals 30 hectares, and reallocated it to some persons, one of whom we were told in confidence is the current INEC Chairman, Prof. Sam Amupitan,” the lawyer told The Bureau News. “Unfortunately for Wike, a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd.), and some serving army personnel have vested interests in the land and have already developed parts of it.”
Official documents and ignored approvals
Documents seen by The Bureau News corroborate the claim that the land — designated as Plot 1946, CZ B13, Gaduwa — was subdivided as far back as 2007 among various organizations, including Santos Estates Limited, Curio International Ventures, and Curio Communications Limited.
In a letter dated May 17, 2022, Hajiya Riskatu Abdulazeez, then Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, confirmed the plot’s original purpose as part of the “Parkway System” within Gaduwa District, stressing that the area had been developed through public-private collaboration.
However, the source alleged that Wike “ignored earlier administrative memos and approvals” that supported the military’s claims to the land. Instead, he allegedly used his powers to revoke the allocation and issue new documents to political allies.
Wike’s demolition attempt triggers clash
Tension reached a boiling point when Wike reportedly stormed the disputed site with over 50 armed police officers and two bulldozers to demolish existing structures belonging to military officers. The move sparked Tuesday’s viral confrontation between the minister and Lt. AM Yarima, an officer from Kaduna State who was stationed at the site.
“Capt. Adam Yariman is the officer Wike was seen insulting in that viral video,” the lawyer added. “The Army has challenged Wike to go to court, but he has refused to do so, apparently because he knows he’s wrong.”
Calls for accountability grow
The incident has triggered widespread debate over alleged abuse of power within the FCTA, with legal experts and security officials urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order an independent probe into the minister’s handling of land matters in the capital.
“Wike often tells people to ‘go to court,’ even when he ignores pending judicial reviews or administrative recommendations,” the source lamented.
As of press time, neither the FCTA nor the Nigerian Army had issued an official statement regarding the latest revelations.
Follow more verified updates on The Bureau News as the Abuja land dispute unfolds.
