Allegations have surfaced accusing the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of offering land allocations in Abuja and significant cash payments to senior officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The claims, reported by SaharaReporters, cite sources within the commission who allege that over 29 top INEC officials received plots of land in choice areas of the Federal Capital Territory, along with financial inducements reportedly exceeding $50,000 each. The development has raised concerns about the perceived independence of the electoral body.
Those allegedly involved include the commission’s secretary, national commissioners, and several directors. Among those named are Rose Omoa Oriaran-Anthony, Sam Olumekun, Ken Ukeagu, Haruna Mohammed, May Agbamuche-Mbu, Bala Bila, Abdullahi Zuru, Sani Adam, Abdulrazaq Tukur Yusuf, Kunle Ajayi, and Nwambam Aja, alongside multiple directors.
Sources further claimed that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, may have benefited indirectly through a proxy arrangement involving a large parcel of land reportedly exceeding 30 hectares.
According to the report, the land allocations were initially issued with Rights of Occupancy but were later revoked after beneficiaries allegedly failed to meet deadlines for Certificate of Occupancy payments. However, insiders claimed that interventions—such as financial assistance or waivers—allowed the recipients to retain ownership without personal cost.
Each plot is estimated to be worth more than ₦180 million, adding to concerns about the scale of the alleged benefits.
Efforts to get official reactions from Wike’s media aide and INEC representatives were unsuccessful at the time of filing the report.
In a related development, INEC recently removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from its official portal, citing an ongoing leadership dispute in court.
The commission said it would not recognise any faction of the party until the Federal High Court delivers a final ruling. In response, the ADC called for the resignation of the INEC Chairman, accusing the commission of bias ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, INEC maintained that its actions were guided strictly by court orders and not influenced by political interests.
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