EXPOSED: Mass Corruption Rocks INEC As Wike Gave Land, $50,000 To Senior Officials
Allegations of possible undue influence involving senior officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have surfaced, with claims linking the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to the controversy.
Sources within the Commission allege that parcels of land and financial incentives were extended to several top INEC officials, raising concerns about the independence and credibility of Nigeria’s electoral body. According to the claims, more than 29 senior officials were offered plots of land in the Federal Capital Territory, alongside financial inducements reportedly exceeding $50,000 per individual.
Those allegedly involved include the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Rose Omoa Oriaran-Anthony; National Commissioners such as Sam Olumekun, Dr. Ken Ukeagu, Mr. Haruna Mohammed, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, Dr. Bala Bila, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, Prof. Sani Adam (SAN), Abdulrazaq Tukur Yusuf, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, and Prof. Nwambam Aja; as well as several directors, including Olawale Ibrahim S., Dr. Binta K. Mohammed, Isah Magaji Gummi, Lawrence Bayode, Victoria Eta-Messi, and others.
The sources further claim that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, may have indirectly benefited through a proxy arrangement involving a large parcel of land reportedly exceeding 30 hectares.
It was also alleged that the land allocations were initially issued with Rights of Occupancy (R of O), but were later revoked due to non-payment of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) fees within the stipulated 21-day period under Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) regulations. However, insiders claim that the allocations were subsequently reinstated, either through financial assistance to cover the required fees or through waivers, allowing beneficiaries to retain ownership without personal cost. Each plot is said to have an estimated market value exceeding ₦180 million.
Efforts to obtain official responses were unsuccessful. Calls and messages to Lere Olayinka, media aide to the FCT Minister, went unanswered, while the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, also did not respond to inquiries as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the controversy comes amid recent actions by INEC concerning the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The Commission announced plans to remove the names of Senator David Mark and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, from its official portal as leaders of the party, citing an ongoing court dispute over its leadership.
INEC stated that it would suspend recognition of any faction of the ADC pending the determination of the case before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The decision was outlined in a statement issued by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, who said the move followed preservatory orders by the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026.
Subsequently, the Commission updated its portal, replacing the names of the party’s leaders with the notation “By court order.”
In reaction, the ADC called for the immediate resignation of the INEC Chairman, accusing the Commission of partisanship and alleging that it was undermining Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections. The party argued that the electoral body had lost the credibility required to conduct free, fair, and transparent polls.
However, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan has defended the Commission’s actions, maintaining that its decisions were in strict compliance with existing court orders and not influenced by any political considerations.
