Wike Revokes Military Officers’ Land,Reallocates to Associates Including INEC Chairman

In a controversial move that has stirred significant uproar in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, recently revoked ownership of a 30-hectare land parcel initially allocated to senior military personnel. The land, situated in the Gudu district of Abuja, was reallocated to political allies connected to the minister, including a close associate identified as the current Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan.

According to sources directly involved in the dispute, the revocation and subsequent reallocation defied established due process, official recommendations, and prior approvals granted for the land. Legal representatives involved describe the action as lacking transparency and running contrary to existing regulatory frameworks. The land was originally earmarked for serving and retired military officers, some of whom had begun developing the property before the reallocation order was enforced.

The tension peaked when Minister Wike, accompanied by security personnel and heavy equipment, attempted to access the estate site, only to be confronted and blocked by soldiers loyal to some of the affected military owners. Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, a former Chief of Naval Staff, is among the notable military figures vested in the land, adding weight to the dispute.

In response to the confrontations, Wike criticized the use of intimidation tactics by the military stakeholders, insisting on adherence to lawful procedures in land allocations and urban planning controls within the FCT. The minister emphasized his commitment to rooting out illegal land developments and land grabbing, asserting that no individual, regardless of rank or influence, is above the law.

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The controversy gains further complexity given that one of the reallocation beneficiaries, INEC Chairman Professor Amupitan, is a prominent national figure recently appointed to lead electoral processes aimed at ensuring credible elections across Nigeria. His involvement in the land reallocation has sparked calls for clarity and accountability given the sensitive nature of his office.

This incident highlights ongoing struggles over land ownership and allocation in Abuja, where accusations of malpractice and political favoritism frequently surface. The FCT Administration under Minister Wike has recently taken a hard stance against illegal land use and conversion, imposing fines and threatening revocation of property titles, signaling a broader clampdown on land-related infractions.

As the situation unfolds, stakeholders await judicial determinations on the legality and legitimacy of the land revocation and reallocation process, which is shaping into a pivotal test of governance and rule of law in the Federal Capital Territory.