*Calls Rotimi Amaechi’s 2027 Presidential Ambition “Dead On Arrival”
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has denied claims by local contractors that his administration owes them N5.2 billion, insisting that the alleged debts arose from contracts irregularly awarded by civil servants without ministerial approval.
Contractors had staged a protest at the minister’s office on Monday, claiming the FCT Administration owed them the funds for executed projects. However, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Lere Olayinka, clarified that the minister has not awarded any new contracts since assuming office and has already cleared a N10 billion backlog inherited from his predecessor.
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Speaking on Tuesday during the inauguration of Phase 2 rehabilitation works at the Lower Usman Dam in Ushafa, Wike described the protest as “blackmail orchestrated by corrupt officials using fronts to push questionable claims.” He emphasized that his administration would only honour properly awarded contracts backed by available funding.
“I came on board and people were already shouting that local contractors were being owed N5 billion, N8 billion. I asked, who awarded these contracts? Civil servants sit in their offices and award contracts of N10m, N15m, N20m without the minister’s knowledge. Then they turn around to say the minister is owing N15 billion. That will never happen! Nobody can intimidate me on that,” Wike declared.
He further condemned the practice of splitting projects into small sums, calling it a ploy by civil servants to siphon funds without meaningful results. “You cannot embarrass me. Go and meet those who awarded you contracts and tell them your children are out of school. It’s not my business,” he added.
Wike also dismissed the 2027 presidential ambition of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, describing it as “dead on arrival.” Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, he said Nigerians would not give Amaechi a chance in the next general election, insisting he would not secure the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ticket.
“He knows he won’t get the ticket. I read that he said he knows the weaknesses of the president, so he knows how to defeat him, but he also knew the weaknesses of the president in 2022 when the president defeated him mercilessly in the primary,” Wike said, adding that Amaechi’s record in governance disqualifies him from being taken seriously by Nigerians.
The former Rivers State governor accused Amaechi of lacking respect for the rule of law during his tenure between 2007 and 2015. Wike highlighted controversies under Amaechi’s administration, including the closure of the state judiciary, collapse of a monorail project in Port Harcourt, unaccounted funds for an international hospital, and alleged diversion of state resources.
Wike dismissed Amaechi’s claim that corruption in Nigeria could be eradicated within a month as “deceitful” and unrealistic, accusing him of hypocrisy and political posturing. “You look at Nigerians, we are so daft that someone will just come and promise to fight corruption in one month, and we just believe him. A man who, as governor, refused to allow the judiciary to operate for almost two years now claims he can fight corruption in one month. How can that be possible?” he asked.
Turning to the federal government, Wike defended President Bola Tinubu’s administration, dismissing claims that the president is unapproachable. He highlighted measures such as fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate reforms, noting that these reforms, though challenging, are necessary for long-term economic stability. Wike also praised improvements in federal revenue allocations and commended security agencies for successes against insurgents.
Addressing criticisms that his ministerial appointment under Tinubu reflects betrayal, Wike stated his priority is national stability, not personal politics. He accused critics like former SGF Babachir Lawal of masking personal grievances as national concerns.
“Some people are angry because the President did not pick them as vice-president. That is their problem, not Nigeria’s problem,” Wike said. He acknowledged ongoing economic difficulties but insisted that government reforms will ultimately benefit all Nigerians.
