Group accuses Wike of reallocating National Railway Station land to private firm

The Transparency and Accountability Network (TAN), a prominent civil society organization, has accused the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, of reallocating a critical public asset—land originally designated for the National Railway Station—to a private company, NY New Construction Limited.

TAN has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and order an investigation into the alleged reallocation.

In a statement released Thursday, TAN’s National Coordinator, Comrade Michael Briggs, expressed outrage over the reallocation of Plot 1398 (A00), located in the Central Area District of the FCT.

The 5.50-hectare plot, initially intended for a National Railway Complex to improve the country’s railway network, was reportedly approved for Statutory Right of Occupancy to the private firm on August 30, 2024.

Briggs described the National Railway Station as a “vital piece of national infrastructure,” meant to connect the Federal Capital Territory to other regions and serve thousands of commuters daily.

He criticized the decision as a breach of public trust, stating, “The recent decision by your favorite Minister of FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, to convert this public asset for private use is a matter of grave concern and raises serious questions about transparency, accountability, and the prioritization of public interest.”

The group accused Minister Wike of hypocrisy, citing his previous criticisms of past FCT ministers for allocating public transport assets to private companies.

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“We are still shocked by the hypocrisy of Minister Wike, who on live television accused past FCT Ministers of allocating bus terminals to a private company. Today, this same man is allocating a national railway station to his cronies,” Briggs alleged.

TAN highlighted the secrecy surrounding the reallocation process, suggesting it lacked due process and transparency. Briggs hinted at potential conflicts of interest, questioning whether the decision was influenced by political or personal motivations.

Briggs also emphasized that converting the railway station into a private venture undermines its purpose as a public asset meant to benefit all Nigerians. “This is not just a question of legality; it’s a question of moral and ethical governance,” he said.

The civil society group urged President Tinubu to take immediate action by halting the reallocation and launching a public inquiry into the decision-making process. TAN claimed it possesses documents to back its allegations and is prepared to present them if required.

“We know that you have praised this ‘hardworking Minister,’ but we are appealing to you to take immediate action on this national asset and uphold the principles of public trust, transparency, and accountability,” Briggs concluded.

This allegation adds to growing concerns over governance and asset management in Nigeria.

Observers say such controversies undermine public confidence in leadership and erode trust in the administration’s commitment to transparency and equitable development.

The FCT Ministry is yet to respond to these allegations. As public scrutiny mounts, all eyes will be on President Tinubu and Minister Wike to address the concerns raised and provide clarity on the future of Plot 1398 and its intended purpose.