How Civil Servants Awarded Billion-Naira Contracts Without Minister’s Knowledge, Wike spills

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State revealed that civil servants in the Federal Capital Territory awarded billion-naira contracts without the knowledge of the Minister. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory denied the claims and stated that a local contractor was not owed any money for a disputed project.

Wike's Senior Special Assistant for Public Communication dismissed the allegations and stated that the administration had not awarded any new contracts since taking office, focusing instead on clearing liabilities from the previous administration. The Minister challenged anyone claiming he personally approved the disputed contract to provide evidence, emphasizing the government's commitment to transparency and accountability.

The protest by the aggrieved contractor was described as a smear campaign sponsored by corrupt officials. The Minister vowed to resist pressure to continue the practice of irregularly awarding contracts for smaller amounts to divert public funds.