Mr. Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has strongly refuted claims that the Minister awarded contracts worth N5 billion.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, Olayinka described the allegation as unfounded and lacking any evidence. He challenged those making the accusations to produce official documents showing that Wike had indeed approved such contracts.
According to him, in December 2023, a bill of about N10 billion was presented to the Minister as outstanding debts for projects executed by local contractors before Wike assumed office.
“These projects were categorized as ‘Shopping’ or ‘Minor Procurement,’” Olayinka explained.
He noted that Wike approved and paid over N5 billion of the outstanding sum in December 2023, while the balance—another N5 billion—was cleared in January 2024.
However, Olayinka revealed that three months later, another bill exceeding N15 billion was submitted under the same “Minor Procurement” category. This, he said, prompted Wike to raise serious concerns about the legitimacy of such contracts.
“How can anyone claim to have carried out projects worth over N15 billion within just three months without the Minister’s approval?” Olayinka queried.
“How could debts of more than N15 billion be accumulated within that short period? From N15 billion to N8 billion, and now N5 billion—on whose authority were these contracts awarded?” he asked further.
The presidential aide emphasized that the matter at hand was not about speculation but about accountability and transparency.
“These are the questions that must be answered first,” he maintained.
