Channels Television has publicly rejected claims made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, regarding the ownership of the land housing the media organisation’s headquarters in Abuja.
The dispute followed comments made by Wike during a media chat on Wednesday, where the minister questioned the allocation of the Guzape property occupied by Channels Television.
According to Wike, the land was government property allocated to the station, arguing that the media company was benefiting commercially from public assets.
“The land that you built Channels on is public land. Did you buy it? No. It was allocated to you,” the minister said during the interview.
Wike also defended payments reportedly made for the live broadcast of the media chat, stating that media organisations do not provide such coverage free of charge.
However, Channels Television responded strongly to the comments during its Thursday broadcast, insisting that the property was legally acquired and all statutory payments were fully settled.
The station stated that the land was officially allocated to Channels Television on March 6, 2007, for commercial purposes by the FCT administration at the time.
“It is not correct. The property which houses our national headquarters in the Guzape area of Abuja was allocated to CTV on March 6, 2007, for commercial purposes by the then FCT minister,” the station stated.
Channels Television further maintained that all required fees, charges, and obligations connected to the property were duly paid.
“We can confirm that all required fees and charges were fully paid,” the organisation added.
The broadcaster also defended the payments received for airing the minister’s media chat, explaining that such broadcasts involve extensive technical logistics, including outside broadcasting vans, production crew, equipment deployment, and airtime allocation.
According to the station, the payments were strictly professional and operational, not political favours.
The media organisation reiterated its commitment to independent journalism and vowed to continue asking difficult questions regardless of political pressure.
Channels Television also called on the FCT administration to provide clarification on allegations surrounding land allocations to journalists and media organisations within Abuja.
The dispute has generated significant reactions online, with many Nigerians debating issues surrounding land allocations, government transparency, and media independence.
Some commentators accused Wike of attempting to intimidate media organisations critical of his administration, while others argued that public scrutiny over land allocations remains legitimate.
The controversy comes amid increasing debates over land administration and urban planning policies in the Federal Capital Territory.
In recent weeks, Wike has defended several controversial land reallocations and redevelopment decisions in Abuja, insisting that government possesses the authority to review and alter land use plans where necessary.
The minister has repeatedly argued that master plans are dynamic and must evolve to reflect modern realities and developmental priorities.
Critics, however, have accused the FCT administration of favouring politically connected individuals and commercial interests in land allocation matters.
The latest exchange with Channels Television is expected to further intensify conversations around media-government relations and transparency within the nation’s capital.
Political observers say the development is significant because Channels Television remains one of Nigeria’s most influential broadcast networks with a reputation for critical political coverage.
The disagreement also highlights growing tensions between public officials and media institutions in Nigeria’s increasingly polarised political environment.
Analysts warn that disputes involving media organisations and government authorities often raise broader concerns about press freedom, accountability, and democratic engagement.
For now, both parties appear to be standing firmly by their positions, with Channels Television insisting that its Abuja headquarters property was acquired legally and fully paid for.
As reactions continue across political and media circles, the controversy may further fuel scrutiny of land allocation practices and governance decisions within the FCT administration.