FCT Minister Rejects Claims of Misused Area Council Funds
Dr. Nafisat Makinde, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that Area Council chairmen in the FCT were misusing funds allocated to them, saying most councils were struggling to meet salary obligations, especially the payment of primary school teachers.
The position was contained in a statement signed by Rabi Musa Umar, Deputy Director, Press, Office of the Honourable Minister, on May 19, 2026, after the minister inspected ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, including the Body of Benchers annex complex, the road linking Baze and Nile universities, and the road connecting Tungan Madaki community from Bill Clinton Drive.
Reacting to concerns that the Federal Capital Territory Administration was carrying out major infrastructure projects while Area Councils were allegedly not making proper use of their allocations, Wike described the claims as incorrect.
“I don’t know about that. I did not elect them. Those who elected them should take action,” he said.
The minister explained that a large part of the councils’ monthly allocations goes into salary payments.
“Take for example, how much does Kuje Area Council get in a month? And what is the salary bill for the teachers? I’m not talking about other civil servants, just for the teachers alone,” Wike said.
He added, “I do not believe that money given to them is not utilized.”
Wike also expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work on key projects across the FCT, noting that most of them were nearing completion and would be inaugurated as part of activities marking the third anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
According to him, the Body of Benchers annex complex is about 95 per cent completed and already furnished, while the adjoining road constructed by CCECC has been completed and is being fitted with streetlights.
He further stated that work on the road to Tungan Madaki community, off Bill Clinton Drive, had reached an advanced stage, with asphalt laying ongoing and streetlights already being installed.
The minister said the road extension into Zuba would improve access to satellite communities and support development in the area.
Wike also commended the contractors handling the projects for delivering quality work within schedule.
Speaking on the Peoples Democratic Party primaries, the minister said the party had concluded its screening process and that the primaries were ongoing in the presence of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He dismissed reports of any parallel screening exercise at the Transcorp Hilton, describing the claims as misleading.