Wike: I didn’t award N5bn contracts

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that he awarded contracts worth N5 billion.

Wike described the allegation that the contracts were given to local contractors as false and without evidence.

The minster made this known via a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, on Monday, August 18, 2025.

Olayinka urged anyone with evidence to produce official documents showing such contract approvals.

He stated that in December 2023, a bill of about N10 billion was presented to Wike as outstanding payments for projects carried out by local contractors before the minister assumed office.

Olayinka said: “The category of these projects was referred to as ‘Shopping’ or ‘Minor Procurement’.

“In the same December 2023, payment of more than N5 billion was approved by the Minister and was made immediately.

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“In January 2024, an additional payment of more than N5 billion was made, fully clearing the N10 billion outstanding.”

Olayinka added that three months later, another bill of more than N15 billion was submitted under the Minor Procurement category, prompting Wike to question who had approved such contracts.

He said: “How can you claim to have carried out jobs worth more than N15 billion within three months, without the Minister’s approval?

“How can you accumulate more than N15 billion debts on contracts within that period?

“From N15 billion to N8 billion and now N5 billion. The question is, on whose authority were these contracts awarded?”

Olayinka stressed that the questions must be answered, insisting that the issue lied in accountability, not speculation.

The Star