Security details suspected to be attached to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike fired teargas on Tuesday morning to disperse contractors protesting over an alleged N5.2 billion debt for executed jobs.
From 10:00am, members of the Association of Indigenous Contractors of FCT converged on the main gate of the FCT Administration, FCTA, headquarters on 1 Kapital Road, Area 11, Garki, Abuja.
About 45 minutes into the protest, a junior police officer said to be serving under Mohammed Iya, Chief Security Officer to the Minister, fired the first teargas canister. More followed, filling the entrance with fumes and triggering a stampede.
_People&Politics_ observed protesters, civil servants, passersby and motorists fleeing helter-skelter. Some dropped their footwear while vehicles reversed abruptly to escape the chaos.
A 75-year-old man, Ahmed, who said he was only passing by, told _People&Politics_ the fumes worsened his health.
“Can you imagine! I’m 75 this year and was just passing when police started shooting teargas near the Minister’s entrance. Teargas does not know any particular person. I’m sick already and the fumes filled my nose. Wike should pay these people their money. Is it from his personal pocket? Pay them and save us incidents like this,” he said, fighting back tears.
*Not the first time*
The contractors said this was not the first protest or teargas attack at the same spot over unpaid contracts. They claim the jobs were awarded, procured, monitored, verified and executed largely under the Wike administration since 2023.
The projects, they added, covered public welfare works: supply of office furniture, desilting of road drainages, and supply of items across sectors for FCT residents.
Tension remained high when Wike’s convoy of at least eight SUVs, mostly Lexus and Toyota models, exited the FCTA complex. As his pilot motorcycle sounded its siren, protesters pushed forward with banners but were held back by heavily armed security men, leading to shoving.
*“Jobs were approved by Wike’s appointees”*
Chairman of the group, Mr Adebola Benson Ehuwa, faulted the Minister for non-payment after three years. He also disputed Wike’s recent claim that civil servants awarded the contracts.
Ehuwa brandished documents showing award letters, approvals, and legal agreements. He displayed two FG circulars — one dated 19 January 2022 signed by former SGF Boss Mustapha and updated in 2025 by current SGF George Akume — which empower Mandate Secretaries and Coordinators to award contracts on behalf of their principals.
For FCTA, he cited Coordinator of AMMC, Felix Obuah, and Mandate Secretary, Health & Human Services, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, among others. One agreement stamped 6 June 2024 showed Obuah signing for FCTA, witnessed by Adebayo A.Z, an Acting Director in FCT Fire Service.
Unfazed by the teargas, Ehuwa vowed: “We will continue protesting this time till we get paid by Wike.”
Attempts to reach the Minister’s spokesman, Mr Lere Olayinka, were unsuccessful as calls went unanswered.
