Contractors Blackmail: I Remain Focused, No Intimidation – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Nyesom Wike, has declared that no amount of blackmail or sponsored protests will distract him from delivering development to the people of Abuja.

Speaking during the Commissioning of the Phase 2 water project, Wike said he has observed several media reports focusing on alleged debts owed to “local contractors,” stressing that he will not be intimidated into paying claims that were never legitimately awarded.

“Let anybody who says I awarded them contracts bring the documents. Many of the so-called debts were generated by civil servants who sat in their offices awarding contracts of ₦10m, ₦15m, or ₦20m without ministerial approval. Now they want to blackmail the Minister into paying. Certainly, that will not happen. Nobody can intimidate me,” Wike said.

The Minister maintained that corruption is fighting back against his reforms, but vowed to defeat it. He noted that under his leadership, funds are being channeled into meaningful capital projects that impact the lives of residents, not frivolous recurrent expenses.

He disclosed that before his administration came on board, the FCT’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) stood at about ₦9 billion monthly, but has now risen to over ₦30 billion.

“If we were not prudent, how would we have been able to fund the massive infrastructure we are commissioning today? Those protesting are not genuine contractors.

“Look at their faces, do they look like those who built the roads we are commissioning? They were sponsored by those who benefitted from past corruption,” Wike stated.

Wike added that Abuja’s abandoned projects were a result of funds being diverted into unnecessary expenses like frequent foreign trips and inflated procurement of items such as computers.

“This is not a beauty contest. I am not here to be loved. I am here to work. Carry your love and go, I want results. The only love I want is for residents to feel the impact of governance: roads, schools, hospitals, water, and security. That is development.”

He further recalled his past experiences in public service, emphasizing that he has never allowed vested interests or power brokers to control him.

“From my days as a council chairman till now, I have never allowed anyone to dictate to me. Pray 24 hours, it won’t change anything. What is right will be done, and what is wrong will not pass. Abuja must change, and we will change it,” he insisted.

Wike concluded by affirming that, by the time he leaves office, history will record his administration as one that restored discipline, blocked waste, and redirected resources into tangible development for the Federal Capital Territory.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji