Why Should It Be Wrong When Others Get Land?” — Wike Fires Back At Channels TV

According to Ireporter Online, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended the federal government’s decision to allocate land to ambassadors appointed by President Bola Tinubu, insisting that there was nothing improper about the action.

Wike also maintained that his response to Channels Television over questions raised by journalists during his recent media interaction was justified. He made these remarks on Thursday while inspecting ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja.

The Minister explained that there was no secrecy surrounding land allocations in the FCT, adding that even media organisations have benefited from government land allocations for business purposes. He argued that such allocations are standard practice and should not be controversial.

Wike further stated that media houses operate as commercial entities rather than charitable organisations, noting that they generate revenue through advertisements, sponsored content, and live coverage services, which are used to sustain operations and pay staff salaries.

He questioned the criticism surrounding land allocations, stressing that if it was acceptable for government to allocate land to media organisations like Channels Television for business activities, then similar allocations to others should not be considered wrong.

In his words, he emphasised that media organisations are profit-driven, explaining that they rely on multiple revenue streams, including paid airtime and commercial news content, to remain operational.

Meanwhile, Channels Television has responded to the Minister’s comments, rejecting claims that it profits from land allocated to its headquarters in Abuja. The station clarified that the land in question was allocated in 2007 by a former FCT Minister strictly for commercial use and that all required fees had been duly paid.

The media organisation also addressed Wike’s suggestion that it generates income from its interviews with him, explaining that such programmes involve significant production costs, including the deployment of Outside Broadcasting Vans and technical equipment, and that the airtime is commercially valued.

Channels Television reaffirmed its commitment to professional journalism, stating that it will continue to ask critical questions and uphold the trust it has built over decades. It also challenged the Minister to publicly release the full list of journalists allegedly allocated land in the FCT, as referenced in his remarks.