Why I won’t be distracted by blackmail or protests in FCT – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed his commitment to delivering development projects in Abuja, declaring that no amount of blackmail or sponsored protests will derail his agenda.

Wike made the remarks on Tuesday during the inauguration of the Phase 2 water project in the nation’s capital.

Reacting to recent media reports about alleged debts owed to local contractors, the minister dismissed the claims, insisting that his administration would not bow to pressure to pay contracts that were not legitimately awarded.

“Let anybody who says I awarded them contracts bring the documents.

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“Many of the so-called debts were generated by civil servants who sat in their offices awarding contracts of N10 million N15 million, or N20 million without ministerial approval.

“Now they want to blackmail the Minister into paying. Certainly, that will not happen. Nobody can intimidate me.

“This is corruption fighting back against my reforms, but I will defeat it,”he said.

Wike said that under his leadership, funds were 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 N9 billion monthly, but has now risen to over N30 billion.

“If we were not prudent, how 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 said.

The minister 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 said.

Wike further recalled his past experiences in public service, emphasising 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 affirmed that, by the time he leaves office, history would record his administration as one that restored discipline, blocked waste, and redirected resources into tangible development for the Federal Capital Territory.

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