The ongoing tug-of-war between the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and major landholders in Abuja has hit a new peak, with Channels Television now firmly defending the legality of its headquarters’ land acquisition.
The dispute stems from the FCT Administration’s aggressive drive to revoke titles and recover “unearned” lands, which has seen the Minister clash with various institutions, including the military and private media.
The Channels TV Counter-Statement
Responding to allegations or inclusion in the FCT’s revocation list, the management of Channels Television has clarified its position:
- Proof of Payment: The station maintains that it “paid in full” for its Abuja headquarters land and possesses all valid legal documents, including the Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O).
- Due Process: They emphasized that the land was acquired legally and developed in strict accordance with the FCT master plan, countering any narrative of “land grabbing” or “lack of documentation.”
- Corporate Integrity: The station noted that as a law-abiding corporate citizen, it has consistently fulfilled its financial obligations to the FCTA, including ground rents.
Context: Wike’s “Land Sweep” of 2025/2026
This standoff is part of a broader, more turbulent landscape of land administration under Wike:
- The November 2025 Revocation: In late 2025, Wike approved the revocation of 1,095 property titles across Asokoro, Maitama, Garki, and Wuse for defaulting on ground rents and land-use violations.
- The “Military Face-Off”: Just months ago, Wike was involved in a high-profile verbal altercation with naval officers in the Gaduwa district over a 30-hectare plot he claimed was acquired illegally by a former Chief of Naval Staff.
- Infrastructure Tax: The Minister has recently doubled down on a “develop or lose it” policy, targeting large hectares of land that have remained fallow for years despite being allocated to influential figures.
