No fewer than 1,000 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have formed a coalition in support of the ongoing protest by indigenous contractors against the Federal Government over unpaid debts, calling for the resignation of the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite.
The coalition made the demand in a joint statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, accusing the minister of failing to implement President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive on the immediate settlement of outstanding debts owed to local contractors.
The statement was jointly signed by Comrade Wisdom Abah of the National Vanguard for Accountable and Transparent Democracy (NVATD); Engr. Istifanus Pam of the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF); Comrade Babatunde Ibidapo of the Movement for Accountable and Good Governance (MAGGo); Alhaji Babale Idris of the National Coalition for Peace, Unity and Progress (NCPUP); and Engr. Lukman Adejobi of the National Forum of APC Young Professionals (NFAYP), on behalf of other member organisations.
According to the coalition, the refusal of the Minister of State for Finance to ensure full payment of the debts constitutes “economic sabotage,” warning that the ongoing protests could severely disrupt national economic activities.
“We have been sounding this warning, calling and begging the Honourable Minister of State for Finance. This was what we were trying to avoid. But today it is coming upon the nation. This whole thing was avoidable, but for the unwarranted negligence of the minister,” the statement read.
The groups commended the “patience, long-suffering, perseverance and patriotism” of the affected contractors, noting that many had endured hardship and humiliation since 2024 due to non-payment for completed and commissioned projects.
They further urged President Tinubu to urgently set up a new presidential committee to take over the responsibility of settling the debts from the Ministry of Finance.
“We can comfortably tell anyone, including Mr President, that this is a dangerous signal of economic sabotage. Dr. Uzoka-Anite and her collaborators should not be allowed to handle this issue anymore. It would do the country more harm than good,” the coalition said.
The statement alleged that the Federal Government had accumulated over ₦4 trillion in unpaid obligations to indigenous contractors since 2024, despite claims that funds were available. It also accused the minister of selective payments, favouring contractors linked to her personal networks.
The coalition claimed that several contractors had died due to financial pressure from bank loans used to execute government projects, while others had become bankrupt or suffered serious health challenges.
“Despite the intervention of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and a directive from President Tinubu in December that all debts be cleared, the ministry has remained adamant,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN) resumed protests in Abuja on Monday over the ₦4 trillion debt owed by the Federal Government for completed capital projects captured in the 2024 budget.
Speaking during the protest at the Ministry of Finance, AICAN President, Mr. Jackson Nwosu, warned that the association might take drastic action if the debts were not settled.
He said contractors financed most of the projects through commercial bank loans, leading to loan defaults, asset seizures and, in some cases, deaths linked to financial stress.
Nwosu warned that the contractors could shut down economic activities nationwide if the situation persists, stressing that the association’s patience was wearing thin.
