Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has refuted allegations that his administration owes N5.2 billion to local contractors, stating that the debt claims stem from unauthorized contracts awarded by civil servants without his consent.

On Monday, a group of contractors protested outside the minister’s residence, alleging that they were owed approximately N5.2 billion for completed projects.

However, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Lere Olayinka, dismissed the protest, emphasizing that the minister had not approved any new contracts since taking office and had already settled N10 billion in outstanding obligations inherited from the previous administration.

During the commissioning of Phase 2 rehabilitation work at the Lower Usman Dam in Ushafa on Tuesday, Wike described the demonstration as a smear campaign orchestrated by corrupt insiders using external fronts.

“When I resumed, I heard people saying the administration owed local contractors N5 billion, N8 billion. I asked—who approved these contracts? Civil servants were awarding projects worth N10 million, N15 million, N20 million without my knowledge. Then they turn around and claim the minister owes N15 billion. That’s not going to happen. No one can intimidate me on this,” he said.

Wike asserted that many of the demonstrators were not genuine contractors but were hired to stage the protest. He reiterated that only contracts legitimately approved and supported by available funds would be honored.

“If I approve a contract, I will pay. But I do not sign off on contracts without available funding. Even some contracts cleared by the Federal Executive Council had to be put on hold until the money was available. I have not taken any loans,” he clarified.

The minister challenged anyone claiming he approved the disputed contracts to produce documentary evidence.

“Anyone saying I gave out contracts should show the documents. If I didn’t approve them, why should I be held accountable? We must operate by due process. That things were previously done the wrong way doesn’t mean we’ll keep doing so,” he added.

He also criticized the trend of breaking projects into smaller contracts—N10 million, N15 million, N25 million—as a tactic used by some civil servants to divert public funds without producing tangible results.

Wike vowed not to yield to pressure or continue with wasteful spending practices or inflated project costs.

“You can’t shame me. Go back to whoever gave you the contract and tell them about your personal issues. That’s not my concern,” he concluded.