Called a "land grabber" online, Wike's got a simple reply: "I’m just doing my job." And he’s got the paperwork to prove it.

So, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike is setting the record straight. He’s not having this "land grabber" tag that’s been flying around social media, and he’s saying it loud and clear.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Federal High Court Judges Quarters in Katampe, Abuja, Wike explained what really went down. The event was part of President Bola Tinubu’s third year in office celebrations, with Vice President Kashim Shettima standing in for the President.

Here’s Wike’s side of the story, as reported by cbinews.tv:

“When we came here looking for land to construct Judges Quarters, there was no road. But last year, Mr President commissioned all the roads within this Katampe," he said.

Turns out, the land in question actually belonged to Julius Berger PLC. According to Wike, they’d been allocated the property 15 years ago but hadn’t developed it.

“This land belongs to Julius Berger PLC and when I looked at the records, 15 years ago they were given the property and there was no development. I said we wanted to build Judges Quarters, so we took back our land,” he explained.

And yes, he saw all the social media noise. “All over social media, they were calling me land grabber, but I didn’t bother myself because I knew where I was going to.”

For Wike, criticism comes with the territory. “Any politician not called names is not a politician. Out of that land grabbing is where we are today, so people should know that I did not grab any land, I’m doing the work I’m supposed to do.”

He also confirmed the area is being fully acquired and rebranded as the “Judges Zone.” The plan? No other developments allowed in the vicinity. Wike added that owners of existing two or three-storey buildings were asked to bring them down and have been paid compensation.

Source: cbinews.tv

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