FCT Minister Denies Awarding Five Billion Naira Contracts

By: Aremu Toyeebaht

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has denied allegations of awarding ₦5 billion contracts to local contractors, explaining that all payments made under his administration were to settle outstanding obligations inherited from previous leadership.

His Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, has dismissed reports alleging that the Minister awarded contracts worth ₦5 billion to local contractors.

In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, Olayinka described the claim as false, baseless, and lacking evidence, urging those behind the allegation to provide official documents proving such approvals.

He clarified that in December 2023, a bill of about ₦10 billion was presented to the Minister for outstanding payments owed to local contractors for projects executed before Wike assumed office.

“How can you claim to have executed jobs worth over N15 billion in three months without the approval of the minister? How can you accumulate such debt within such a short period?”  Olayinka queried.

He stressed that the Minister has remained committed to accountability, due process, and transparency in the management of FCT resources.