Former President Muhammadu Buhari rejected an offer to receive a parcel of land in Abuja when he, along with members of his cabinet, was contacted to fill out an application for it.
This was disclosed by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, in response to media reports claiming that the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) seized a piece of land allegedly belonging to the former president.
In a clarification issued on Thursday to dispel misconceptions, Shehu stated that during Buhari’s presidency, when he and his cabinet members were invited to apply for land in Abuja, Buhari declined the offer.
Instead, he returned the forms unfilled, explaining that he already owned a plot of land in the city and that those who lacked land should be prioritized.
“Buhari’s rejection of the land offer underscores his character and simplicity. He made it clear that he did not need more land and that others should benefit instead,” Shehu added.
According to Shehu, the former president is not the owner of the plot of land in question, which is registered under the “Muhammadu Buhari Foundation.”
Shehu explained that the Muhammadu Buhari Foundation, a charitable organization established by individuals close to Buhari, encountered bureaucratic challenges in the land acquisition process.
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Despite following legal procedures, the Foundation faced exorbitant charges from the FCT authorities for the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.
Shehu noted that the cost was unusually high compared to similar organizations, raising questions about whether the billing was a genuine error or a deliberate act.
“The revocation of the land allocated to the Muhammadu Buhari Foundation does not come as a surprise, given the challenges faced during the process,” Shehu stated.
He further clarified that Muhammadu Buhari, as a private individual, has never been involved in any contentious land allocations in the FCT.
The clarification aims to address what Shehu described as “misguided narratives” circulating in the media and on digital platforms.
He urged commentators to verify facts before making baseless claims that tarnish the reputation of the former president.
“Buhari’s name should not be dragged into unwarranted controversies. The land in question does not belong to him personally but to a Foundation bearing his name, which sought to do good for the public,” Shehu concluded.
This statement comes amid widespread public interest in the published names of beneficiaries whose parcels of land were revoked by the FCT authorities over failure to pay for their Certificate of Occupancy (CofO).
