Wike Defends Abuja Land Allocations to Media Outlets

Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, addressed questions from Channels Television regarding the allocation of land to media organizations during a media chat on Wednesday. He stated that the federal government has not done anything wrong in allocating land, asserting that it is a normal business practice for media houses, which are expected to generate revenue through advertisements and live coverage.

Wike disclosed that the government allocates land in Abuja for operational purposes, not as a charity. He rebutted claims made by Kayode Okikiolu, a Channels TV anchor, who suggested that the station has profited from land allocations since 2007.

Wike insisted that all necessary fees are paid and challenged Channels TV to publicly release a list of journalists who have received land allocations in the FCT. The discussion highlighted the ongoing scrutiny of land allocation practices in Abuja and the relationship between the government and media organizations.