AAC Demands Wike’s Removal As FCT Minister Over $2Million U.S. Mansion, Land Grab Allegations

In a statement signed by its chairman, Agena Robert Ande, the AAC said it was “utterly appalled” by recent revelations linking Wike to the acquisition of a $2 million mansion in Florida, USA, reportedly purchased under the names of his wife and children to conceal ownership.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the African Action Congress (AAC) has called for the immediate removal of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, over alleged corruption, abuse of office, and intimidation of residents.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Agena Robert Ande, the AAC said it was “utterly appalled” by recent revelations linking Wike to the acquisition of a $2 million mansion in Florida, USA, reportedly purchased under the names of his wife and children to conceal ownership.

The party accused the minister of engaging in a pattern of corrupt practices, including secret land allocations, intimidation of business owners, and illicit enrichment.

Wike has also been accused of allocating prime Abuja lands to family members and close associates, including his 90-year-old father, Joshua Nlemanya Wike, who reportedly received a plot of land in Guzape II valued at N400 million.

The AAC accused the minister of threatening shop owners and market users in the FCT with land seizures if they fail to support his preferred candidates in the forthcoming council elections, describing the act as a threat to democracy and due process.

The party demanded that President Bola Tinubu immediately launch a comprehensive investigation into the minister’s finances, sack him from office, and protect FCT residents from political intimidation.

The statement read, “Our exhaustive investigations are backing the many allegations and pervasive pattern of corrupt practices by Wike, encompassing:

“Secret Land Allocations: Wike has been accused of allocating prime Abuja lands to his family members and friends, including his 90-year-old father, Joshua Nlemanya Wike, who received a plot of land in Guzape II worth N400 million.

“This blatant nepotism and favoritism demonstrate Wike’s utter disregard for the public interest and his propensity for exploiting his office for personal aggrandizement.”

The party said it also “received credible information that Wike, being a puppet of the APC, is threatening shop owners and market users in FCT with land acquisition if they don’t vote for his preferred candidates in the FCT upcoming elections, a brazen attempt to intimidate citizens, undermine democracy, and subvert the electoral process”.

“This must not be allowed to continue especially now that campaigns have not been formally approved by INEC. Wike cannot be above the law to be using his office to carry out unlawful activities with regards to FCT coming elections,” the party said.

Regarding allegations of illicit enrichment, the AAC said with an “official annual salary and allowances of about N7.8 million (supposedly), it’s implausible for Wike to amass over $2 million for the luxury acquisition without dipping into public resources, raising serious concerns about illicit enrichment, cross-border money laundering, and the egregious abuse of office”.

“Remember, Wike has one of the most expensive vehicles he brags about, acquired in his time as the FCT Minister,” it said.

“We condemn Wike’s actions in the strongest possible terms and demand that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu takes immediate and decisive action to: A comprehensive and transparent investigation into Wike’s assets and activities as FCT Minister to uncover the full extent of his corruption, illicit enrichment, and abuse of office,” the party said.

AAC urged Tinubu to remove Wike from office forthwith to prevent further damage to his administration, the FCT, and the democratic process.

“Enough of having him undermining the people of FCT and acting with impunity like he is the de facto president,” it said.

“Ensure that citizens of the FCT are free to exercise their right to vote without fear, intimidation, or coercion, and that their rights are protected and respected.

It, therefore, urged Nigerians to “join us in demanding accountability, transparency, and accountability from our leaders”.

“We cannot continue to tolerate public officials who engage in corrupt practices, subvert the democratic process, and undermine the public trust,” Ande said.

“We demand a government that is transparent, accountable, and serves the interests of the people.”