Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has criticized the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, over allegations of land seizures and transfers to associates, warning that the minister will eventually account for his actions.
Adeyanju made this statement during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, responding to comments Wike made the previous day.
The minister, during his own press conference, had mentioned Adeyanju, saying: “I saw one young man, they call him Adeyanju. He is from Kogi State. This young boy came to me that he wants to be the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, and I said no. I said he won’t be, and he was not. I have no regret about it. He has suddenly become a civil society activist. He has no job, and that’s why he decided to turn to a civil society activist.”
The remarks followed a protest led by Adeyanju on behalf of victims of house demolitions carried out by Wike.
Responding, Adeyanju mocked the minister, accusing him of hating constructive criticism and vowing to continue challenging any questionable actions.
He alleged that Wike has been implementing policies that negatively impact the public, including land-grabbing practices.
Adeyanju claimed, “He has not faulted us on the allegations we raised. Rather he has said yes, that he is giving the land that he is grabbing from poor people to his friends, but that, should he give the land to his enemies? These are the kind of people ruling in our country—people that should be in jail for corruption and electoral fraud. They are the ones giving lectures on morality.”
Lobbying for PDP National Publicity Secretary
Addressing Wike’s claims, Adeyanju acknowledged approaching Wike for support during his active political years but dismissed the idea that Wike was central to his ambitions.
He clarified that his outreach to the minister was part of wider consultations with PDP stakeholders.
The lawyer disclosed that he met PDP Governors at that time and he got endorsement from a lot of them.
Adeyanju stated, “Everyone knows I resigned from politics eight years ago. And that event he’s talking about happened before I resigned. Since then, I’ve been jailed, harassed, and beaten on the streets.”
He also refuted Wike’s assertion that he had opposed his candidacy, stating, “In fact, when I was actively in politics, he told me twice that he would support me, and he supported me twice.”
Adeyanju criticized Wike for raising the matter years later, describing it as unnecessary and self-serving.
He further accused Wike of turning against him due to past disagreements over the minister’s support for certain political figures.
Allegations of Looting and Land Grabbing
Adeyanju alleged that Wike’s public service career has been centered around personal enrichment, accusing him of monopolizing public resources and engaging in corrupt practices.
“Where is Wike’s second address? Wike does not have a second address. His only address is the looting of public resources and the public purse. Look at the way he’s grabbing land in the FCT and giving it to his friends. He’s grabbing parks and converting them into residential buildings,” Adeyanju said.
He concluded by accusing Wike of having a “god complex” and being intolerant of dissent, stating that he had evidence to back up his claims.
