Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has expressed deep concerns over the disturbing allegations of land grabbing, corruption, and gross abuse of office by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the deafening silence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the issue.

Frank in a statement in Abuja, said recent revelations by People’s Gazette and Senator Ireti Kingibe have brought to light a series of atrocities and impunity being allegedly perpetuated under the leadership of the FCT Minister.

According to the ULMWP Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, Wike’s alleged illegal allocation of lands to his family members, cronies, and political associates at the expense of genuine applicants “is a national scandal that demands urgent intervention.”

It is alleged that Wike dishes out land on a daily basis to friends, family, and associates, while ordinary citizens and investors with genuine needs for both personal and commercial purposes are sidelined.

His actions reportedly extend to revoking land from an embassy just to gift it to a personal associate – a clear case of impunity.

Frank who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, said: “This blatant disregard for the rule of law will discourage local and foreign investors, leading to economic setbacks for the FCT and Nigeria as a whole.”

He condemned the seeming silence of President Tinubu and anti-corruption agencies on the matter.

He said: “Mr President let me remind you that former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Betta Edu’s case was not as grievous compared to what Wike has done yet you suspended her and sacked her.

“So why is Wike’s case different despite the public expose’? This clearly shows that you are either a beneficiary of Wike’s land grabbing spree or an accomplice by your refusal to act in the face of public outcry against the heist.”

He added: “The continued silence of President Tinubu in the face of these weighty allegations is both troubling and unacceptable. If these actions by the FCT Minister go unchecked, they will tarnish the President’s image and administration.

“What does this silence say about your government, Mr. President? Are you, by omission or commission, endorsing these corrupt practices to build patronage and raise funds for the 2027 elections?”

He described the failure of the nation’s security and anti-corruption agencies – the Police, EFCC, ICPC and others – to probe the allegations as equally disturbing, saying, “Are these institutions now complicit in Wike’s alleged corrupt practices?”

He equally lamented the inaction of the National Assembly with oversight responsibility over the FCT administration.

He said: “It is shocking that the National Assembly, which has oversight functions over the FCT, has remained quiet despite these allegations. Could it be that they, too, have benefitted from Wike’s land distribution scheme?”

He insisted that Wike’s alleged land-grabbing tendencies are not new: “His record in Rivers State speaks volumes, where he is rumoured to be one of the highest private landowners. Now, he is replicating the same pattern in the FCT, using proxies such as his father, children, siblings, and close friends.

“How did his 95-year-old father or children, who have never worked, suddenly acquire prime lands in Abuja? This reeks of conflict of interest and corruption of the highest order.”

He called on the President to act now to save his image and that of his administration over the brewing scandal.

He said: “Mr. President, the Nigerian people are watching. If you fail to act, history will remember that by 2027, you left the indigenous people of Abuja as internally displaced persons in their own city.

“You promised Nigerians a government of integrity. Where is the investigation panel you once vowed to set up? Has it all been lip service?”

The Bayelsa-born political activist demanded the immediate resignation or suspension of Wike to allow for an independent investigation into the allegations, saying, “Anything short of this will imply that you (President Tinubu) and your family are direct beneficiaries of this corruption.

“Suspend Wike immediately and set up an independent panel of inquiry into all FCT land allocations since he assumed office.

“Ensure accountability for all public officers involved in this alleged land-grabbing scandal and restore confidence in the rule of law and the sanctity of the FCT’s land administration process.

“Enough is enough! Wike hides under the guise of flashy projects while engaging in unprecedented corruption. Past FCT Ministers developed new districts such as Wuye, Jabi, and Jahi without looting or noise. Why must we tolerate such impunity now?

“Mr. President, relieve Wike of his duties and let him answer for his sins. Your inaction will only confirm that impunity and corruption are the hallmarks of your administration.”