Indigenous contractors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have accused the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, of using armed security operatives to suppress a peaceful protest over allegedly unpaid contract debts exceeding N5.2 billion.
In a strongly worded statement signed by its Chairman, Benson Ehuwa, the Association of Indigenous Contractors of the FCT said it was “shocked and deeply displeased” by what it described as the minister’s preference for intimidation and strong-arm tactics instead of addressing their long-standing payment demands.
The association alleged that its leadership arrived at the FCTA office complex as early as 7am on Wednesday for a meeting reportedly scheduled by the minister’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), Mohammed Iya, only to be confronted by Hilux vehicles filled with heavily armed security personnel blocking the entrance.
According to the contractors, their leaders were denied access to the premises on the grounds of “orders from above.” When contacted, the CSO allegedly claimed that the minister had sent him on an errand to Port Harcourt.
Members of the association have been protesting at the FCTA gate since Tuesday, December 9, over the non-payment of contracts they said were lawfully awarded, fully executed, inspected and certified by various Secretariats, Departments and Agencies (SDAs) of the FCTA.
The group claimed the security deployment was part of a calculated attempt to shut down their protest, especially after earlier assurances from the CSO that dialogue would be arranged if they suspended the demonstration. Acting on what it described as an “olive branch,” the contractors said they nominated five representatives and were given several meeting dates, with the final appointment fixed for 7am on Wednesday.
“At exactly 7am, our leaders gathered at the FCTA main gate, only to be met by armed security operatives who physically blocked us from entering and prevented our members from protesting,” the statement said.
The association further alleged that some members were threatened, shoved, verbally abused and intimidated, warning that “a bloodbath was only avoided when reason prevailed.”
Citing Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the contractors insisted their protest was lawful and peaceful.
They said efforts to recover the unpaid funds over the past two years had failed, despite writing multiple letters to the minister, securing a National Assembly public hearing—which the FCTA allegedly ignored—and undergoing a three-month investigation by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The group also claimed that an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, interventions by influential Nigerians and repeated protests had yielded no result.
According to the association, many members took bank loans to execute the contracts and have since lost homes, withdrawn children from school or been evicted due to unpaid debts. It further alleged that at least 10 members have died, reportedly from high blood pressure linked to financial stress.
“Most of our members are now living in penury simply for contributing to the development of the nation’s capital,” the statement said, noting that FCTA officials continue to use facilities delivered under the disputed contracts.
The association called on Nigerians, religious leaders and civil society groups to speak out against what it described as injustice, invoking the biblical principle that “a labourer deserves his wages.”
“This is our injury today,” the group warned. “Tomorrow, it could be anyone else’s.”
