Wike Gave Us Land, INEC Commissioner Confirms
A senior official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed reports that top officials of the commission were allocated plots of land in Abuja by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, but firmly denied allegations that they received $50,000 bribes.
The development follows an earlier report alleging that Wike granted prime Abuja land and paid $50,000 each to more than 29 senior INEC officials, raising concerns about possible undue influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sources within the commission had claimed that the allocations and alleged financial inducements involved key officials, including the Secretary to the Commission, National Commissioners, and several directors, sparking questions about the independence and credibility of the electoral body.
Among those mentioned were the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Rose Omoa Oriaran-Anthony; National Commissioners Sam Olumekun, Dr. Ken Ukeagu, 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 directors including Olawale Ibrahim S., Dr. Binta K. Mohammed, Isah Magaji Gummi, Lawrence Bayode, and Victoria Eta-Messi, among others.
Responding in a rebuttal, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the supervising National Commissioner for the FCT and former Chairman of the Commission’s Estate, Works and Transport Committee, described the report as “half-truth.” He acknowledged that land was allocated to members of the commission but rejected claims of any financial inducement.
“Your story on the land allocation to members of the Commission is a half-truth, while the $50,000 bribe, as far as it concerns me, is a barefaced lie. On the land matter, all members of the Commission were given application forms to fill over a year ago under Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman. We did so and personally paid the appropriate fees,” Haruna said.
He explained that while some officials received their Certificates of Occupancy earlier this year, others—including himself—are yet to receive theirs.
“Last February, half of us got their Certificates of Occupancy that had apparently been signed over a year ago by the Minister. The other half, including myself, are yet to get theirs,” he added.
Haruna further stated that the plots were located in a newly developed layout lacking infrastructure and disputed claims that each plot was worth ₦180 million.
“The allocations were in a new layout without infrastructure and therefore cannot be worth the ₦180 million your story claimed,” he said.
He maintained that land allocation to public officials is not unusual, noting that Nigerians are generally eligible to apply for land anywhere in the country and that such allocations are often extended to senior public servants nearing the end of their service.
On the allegation of cash inducement, Haruna reiterated his denial, stating that he has never had any personal interaction with the FCT Minister.
“As far as it concerns me, it is a barefaced lie. I have never met Mr. Wike in my life, never mind interacting with him directly or indirectly,” he said.
Meanwhile, sources also alleged that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, may have indirectly benefited from a similar arrangement, with claims that a large parcel of land exceeding 30 hectares was linked to him through proxies.
Insiders further claimed that some of the initial allocations were revoked after beneficiaries allegedly failed to pay the required Certificate of Occupancy fees within the stipulated 21-day period set by the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS). However, it was alleged that subsequent interventions, including possible financial assistance or waivers, enabled some beneficiaries to retain ownership.
Efforts to obtain official reactions from the FCT Minister’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, and the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, were unsuccessful, as they did not respond to calls or messages.
The controversy comes amid rising tensions between INEC and the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The commission had recently 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.
INEC stated that it would suspend recognition of any faction of the ADC pending the outcome of the case before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The move followed preservatory orders issued by the Court of Appeal directing all parties to maintain the status quo.
Subsequently, the commission replaced the names of the ADC leaders on its portal with the notation “By court order.”
In response, the ADC called for the immediate resignation of the INEC Chairman, accusing the commission of partisanship and undermining Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, Prof. Amupitan defended the commission’s actions, insisting that INEC merely complied with existing court orders and did not take sides in the party’s internal leadership dispute.
