Former presidential spokesman Garba Shehu has clarified that the land revoked by Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), does not personally belong to former President Muhammadu Buhari, but is registered under the Muhammadu Buhari Foundation.
Shehu made the statement in response to reports that Wike had revoked lands allegedly belonging to prominent individuals, including the Buhari Trust Fund, former Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, and 760 others.
Describing the situation as a “case of misinformation and bureaucratic missteps,” Shehu issued a statement titled “Nothing Like Loss of Buhari Land in Abuja”, clarifying the former president’s connection to the property.
“The foundation itself was established by some well-meaning individuals around him, who, it must be noted, went about it in a lawful manner with the support of many good-hearted persons,” Shehu stated.
He added that while Buhari personally owns a plot of land in the FCT, he declined additional allocations during his tenure.
“As an individual, the former president does have a plot of land registered in his name in Abuja. However, when he and his cabinet members were invited to fill out forms and acquire land during his tenure in office, he returned the form without filling it out, stating that he already owned a plot of land in the FCT and that those without land should be given priority. He, therefore, declined the offer,” Shehu explained.
The controversy arose after Wike’s announcement of land revocations, reportedly targeting prominent figures, sparked significant media attention.
