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Reps Demand Proof of ₦2.4 Trillion Payment to Contractors
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The House of Representatives has asked the Ministry of Works to provide evidence of how ₦2.4 trillion was allegedly paid to contractors for federal road projects.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The lawmakers raised the issue during a public hearing in Abuja on Friday, questioning the ministry over huge payments that were not clearly supported by records.
Rep. Ahmed Munir, chairman of the House Committee on Works, said the amount was too large to be ignored without clear documentation. He told ministry officials to present full details of the projects, the companies paid, and the current status of the works.
“We are talking about ₦2.4 trillion of public money,” Munir said. “Nigerians deserve to know where this money went, which roads were fixed, and whether contractors delivered on their agreements.”
Lawmakers seek clarity
During the hearing, members of the committee expressed concern that many Nigerian roads remain in poor condition despite the reported payments. They noted that bad roads continue to cause accidents, damage vehicles, and slow down business activities across the country.
The lawmakers demanded a list of all road contracts awarded in the last five years, including the total amounts, dates of payment, and level of completion. They said the ministry must show evidence of each project before more funds are released in the future.
Rep. Bamidele Salam, a committee member, stressed that accountability was key to restoring public trust. “People are tired of hearing that trillions have been spent when they cannot drive safely from Abuja to Lokoja or Lagos to Ibadan,” he said.
Ministry defends spending
Officials from the Ministry of Works told the lawmakers that many road projects were ongoing and that some had faced delays due to rising costs of materials and insecurity in some parts of the country.
Permanent Secretary Yakubu Adam said contractors had been paid based on certificates of completion submitted at different stages of work. He promised to provide all the requested documents to the committee.
“The ministry follows due process before making any payment,” Adam said. “We will give the committee the evidence it requires so that Nigerians can be assured of transparency.”
Background on Nigeria’s road funding
Nigeria has over 34,000 kilometers of federal roads, many of which are in poor shape. Successive governments have promised to fix them, but progress has been slow.
In recent years, the federal government has budgeted trillions of naira for road construction and maintenance. However, citizens and transport unions often complain that little improvement is visible on the ground.
Bad roads have also been linked to frequent accidents. According to the Federal Road Safety Corps, poor road conditions contribute to hundreds of deaths every year.
Demand for accountability
Civil society groups welcomed the lawmakers’ move, saying it was long overdue. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) urged the National Assembly to make the report of its findings public.
“Transparency in road spending is not just about numbers,” SERAP said in a statement. “It is about saving lives and ensuring value for money.”
Transport unions also joined the call. The National Union of Road Transport Workers said its members spend more on repairs due to potholes and unfinished projects.
Next steps
The House Committee on Works gave the ministry two weeks to submit the full evidence of payments and project updates. Lawmakers said they would carry out independent verification visits to some project sites.
Analysts say the outcome of this probe could shape how future infrastructure funds are managed. If mismanagement is uncovered, contractors and officials may face sanctions.
For now, Nigerians await answers on whether ₦2.4 trillion has truly delivered safer roads — or if the money has disappeared without results.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has revealed that his push for an opposition coalition was initially rejected by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made the disclosure during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, where he reflected on events following the PDP’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election. According to him, he warned party leaders after the election that the PDP could struggle politically without forming alliances with other opposition forces. “To be honest, I was one of the major initiators of this coalition. After the PDP lost the last election, I told the party clearly that I did not see a future for the PDP without a coalition,” he said. Atiku said his advice was rejected at the time, despite his conviction that Nigeria’s political history had shown the importance of alliances. “They disagreed with me then. I have studied Nigeria’s political transition over the years and saw how previous alliances worked, so it was not difficult for me to foresee this,” he stated. The former vice president added that his support for coalition politics was also influenced by his desire to encourage the emergence of younger leaders he believes are vital to Nigeria’s future. “I saw some of these younger politicians as the future leaders of this country, and I felt it was my duty to point that out,” he said. However, Atiku claimed the resistance he encountered within the party was driven more by personal feelings than by disagreement over the substance of his proposal. “They disagreed with me simply because they did not want to see my face, not because of what I was suggesting,” he said. Atiku added that recent political developments have now vindicated his position on the need for a broad opposition alliance ahead of future elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will first pursue a consensus arrangement before considering a primary election for its 2027 presidential ticket.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made this known during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday while discussing the party’s leadership and strategy ahead of the next general election.
He said he is open to backing a consensus candidate if that becomes the party’s collective decision, stressing that such support should not be interpreted as stepping aside.
“It is not about stepping aside, but whether I am willing to support, and yes, I will,” Atiku said.
According to him, the ADC’s first priority is to build internal unity and reach an agreement among stakeholders before considering a competitive primary process.
“Our first option will be to work out a consensus. If that doesn’t happen, then of course we will explore other options. And yes, I will support whoever eventually emerges,” he stated.
Atiku also expressed confidence in the political experience within the party, saying he believes a consensus is achievable and may make a full-scale primary contest unnecessary.
“That remains our preferred path. We will go for primaries if consensus fails, but I honestly do not expect it to get to that stage because we are dealing with mature and experienced politicians,” he added.
His comments come amid growing political consultations and coalition talks as parties begin to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has significantly strengthened his chances of winning the 2027 presidential election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Wednesday. Speaking on what makes his latest presidential bid different from previous attempts, Atiku said the ADC coalition brings together key political figures from across major parties, including the APC, PDP and Labour Party. He described the alliance as a broader and more strategic political arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to him, the coalition has created a stronger platform that improves his prospects. “Now, we have a broader coalition — a combination of APC, PDP and LP — which gives me a better chance of becoming president in 2027,” he said. Atiku also noted that the coalition reflects both experience and generational inclusion, which he said shows a clear succession plan. “You see people of my generation, and you see younger people coming behind us, so you can clearly see a succession pattern,” he added. Meanwhile, Atiku described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a decent but inexperienced leader. According to him, Jonathan’s lack of experience contributed to shortcomings in governance and played a role in his defeat in the 2015 presidential election. “I know Goodluck Jonathan very well. He is a decent young man, but he was also inexperienced, and that contributed to his failure in managing the affairs of the country,” Atiku said. He made the remarks while stressing the need for experienced and capable leadership in Nigeria.
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