Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has responded to Channels Television’s claim that it fully paid for the land housing its headquarters in Guzape, Abuja.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Wike clarified that the television station only paid for the Certificate of Occupancy and not for the land itself, insisting that land is not sold within the FCT.

According to the minister, media organisations are commercial entities established to generate revenue through advertisements, sponsored content and paid live coverage.

“Government allocated the land, it was not sold. In the FCT, government does not sell land,” Wike said.

He argued that since media organisations use allocated land to run profit-making businesses, there should be no controversy surrounding such allocations.

Wike also questioned why land allocation to media organisations should be considered acceptable while similar allocations to others attract criticism.

The minister’s remarks followed Channels Television’s rebuttal to earlier comments regarding the acquisition of the land where its Abuja headquarters is situated.