Contractors Threaten Election-day Peaceful Protest Over Unpaid Contracts

The All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN) has threatened to stage a peaceful protest on election day if the Federal Government fails to settle outstanding payments owed to indigenous contractors.

The warning was issued on Friday during a health awareness programme and road walk organised by the association in Abuja to mark one year of its campaign for the payment of verified contract debts.

Speaking at the event, AICAN National President, Jackson Nwosu, said contractors across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were yet to receive payments for completed projects, leaving many members under severe financial and emotional strain.

According to him, payment warrants worth over N80 billion have already been released, while contractors are still awaiting additional warrants for projects executed in 2024 and 2025.

He said many members had become heavily indebted after borrowing to execute government contracts, with some losing their properties to creditors and others suffering serious health complications linked to financial stress.

“We are appealing to the Federal Government to pay what is owed to indigenous contractors. The situation is becoming unbearable for many of our members,” he said.

Nwosu warned that if the outstanding debts remained unpaid, the association would organise a peaceful protest during the 2027 election.

The AICAN president explained that the road walk was not only to mark the association’s advocacy anniversary but also to promote members’ wellbeing after medical screenings revealed that many contractors had unknowingly developed high blood pressure and other stress-related health conditions.

“We have been fighting for our money while neglecting our health. This programme has shown us that health must come first because without good health, nothing else matters,” he said.

AICAN National Vice President, Ode Agada, urged members not to lose hope, expressing confidence that the association’s demands would eventually be met.

He also appealed to the Federal Government to release the outstanding payments without further delay.

Clarifying the association’s position, Agada said the proposed action would not disrupt the electoral process.

“We are not going to disrupt the election. We are only talking about a peaceful protest to demand what rightly belongs to us,” he said.

Also speaking, AICAN National Secretary, Babatunde Seun, reiterated the association’s call for the immediate payment of contractors while urging members to prioritise their health.

“Health is wealth. We have worked and deserve to be paid. No matter how difficult it is for the government, it is even more difficult for contractors who are struggling to survive. We will continue demanding what belongs to us,” he said.