Wike Denies ₦5.2bn Debt to Contractors, Says Claims Precede His Tenure

Abuja, Nigeria–The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has refuted allegations that his administration owes local contractors ₦5.2 billion, asserting that the claims pertain to contracts awarded before he assumed office.

Responding to a protest staged by aggrieved contractors at the entrance of his residence on Monday, Wike clarified that the disputed debts stem from contracts not authorized by him, but rather issued by civil servants without ministerial consent.

Speaking during the commissioning of Phase 2 rehabilitation works at the Lower Usman Dam in Ushafa on Tuesday, Wike described the protest as “blackmail” orchestrated to pressure him into validating questionable debts.

“I assumed office with the Minister of State and was immediately confronted with complaints that local contractors were owed ₦5 billion, ₦8 billion. I asked, who approved these contracts? Civil servants, without ministerial knowledge, awarded contracts worth ₦10 million, ₦15 million, ₦20 million,” Wike stated.

He insisted that the contractors’ claims were driven by bureaucrats who had bypassed proper processes and were now using proxies to create public pressure. “Those parading themselves as contractors are merely fronts. If you look at them, they don’t even resemble contractors. It’s the same officials who awarded themselves contracts now sponsoring protests,” he said.

The Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, also defended the administration, noting that since Wike took office, no new contracts have been awarded, and a backlog of ₦10 billion inherited from the previous administration has already been cleared.

Wike emphasized that his administration would not be intimidated into settling debts for contracts that were never formally approved or funded. He also challenged anyone alleging he awarded contracts to present the relevant documentation.

“If I didn’t award the contracts, why should I be held liable? Let anyone come forward with documents showing I approved these jobs. If I award contracts, I ensure they are properly funded and paid for. I don’t give out contracts without money to back them,” Wike maintained.

The Minister also criticised the recurring practice within the FCT of fragmenting projects into small budgetary allocations—₦10 million, ₦15 million, or ₦25 million—claiming it is a strategy to siphon funds without meaningful execution.

He made it clear that his administration will not support such financial practices or respond to emotional appeals designed to enforce payment on dubious grounds. “You can go to any embassy to protest—it won’t change anything. I won’t succumb to pressure. Go and ask those who awarded you the contracts, not me,” he said.

Wike concluded by reiterating his commitment to fiscal discipline and due process in contract awards, adding that projects will only be executed when there is sufficient funding and administrative approval.
By Taiwo Olatinwo/ August 19,2025