Indigenous contractors under the aegis of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria have threatened to disrupt the forthcoming national convention of the All Progressives Congress over alleged unpaid debts totalling N150 billion.
The contractors issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Federal Government on Tuesday, warning that failure to meet their demand would force them to mobilise and storm the convention venue in Abuja.
The association, which resumed protests in the Federal Capital Territory, accused the government of failing to honour previous payment commitments despite engagements held between December 2025 and January 2026.
Speaking during the protest, AICAN National President, Jackson Nwosu, said only N21 billion had been paid to contractors, leaving over N1 trillion outstanding.
He noted that the group’s immediate demand was for the release of N150 billion as a partial settlement.
Nwosu said, “Between December and now, only N21 billion has been paid. What is owed is over N1 trillion, but we are demanding N150 billion immediately.
“If the government fails to pay within 48 hours, the APC convention will not hold smoothly. We will mobilise our members and ensure our presence is felt.”
He further accused government officials of reneging on earlier assurances that payments would be made promptly, describing the situation as unacceptable.
Also speaking, AICAN National Secretary, Babatunde Seun, lamented the hardship faced by members due to the prolonged delay in payments, alleging that some contractors had died as a result.
He cited the case of a member allegedly owed over N100 million who died of prostate cancer, claiming the contractor could not afford surgery due to non-payment.
Seun also faulted moves to channel payments through the Debt Management Office, insisting that such a step was not acceptable to the association.
According to him, the government had prioritised other financial commitments, including foreign negotiations, while neglecting indigenous contractors.
“All the money owed to us is about N1.15 trillion. Our demand for N150 billion is just a fraction. Instead of focusing on future elections, the government should settle existing obligations,” he said.
He added that although President Bola Tinubu had reportedly directed that payments be made, bureaucratic bottlenecks had stalled implementation.
Efforts to get official reaction from relevant government agencies as of the time of filing this report were unsuccessful.
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