A coalition of indigenous contractors has issued a stark warning that the upcoming national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja may be disrupted if the Federal Government fails to settle outstanding contract debts owed to them.
The warning came on Tuesday during a resumed protest by members of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN) in the Federal Capital Territory, where leaders appealed for immediate intervention over unpaid obligations.
AICAN’s National President, Jackson Nwosu, said the association was demanding the payment of N150 billion within 48 hours as part of previously agreed commitments by the government.
He stated that although the Federal Government had only disbursed N21 billion so far, contractors are collectively owed in excess of N1 trillion for completed projects.
Nwosu warned that failure to honour these demands before the convention scheduled to take place in Abuja from March 27 to 28, would lead to mobilisation of contractors at the event venue to make their plight known.
“We have given the government a two‑day ultimatum to release the funds.
”If this is not done, the APC national convention in Abuja will not be successful,” Nwosu said, accusing officials of reneging on earlier assurances to settle verified claims directly into members’ accounts.
AICAN’s National Secretary, Babatunde Seun, decried repeated delays in payment and broken promises, which he said have heightened economic hardship for contractors and their families.
Seun cited cases of members struggling to meet financial obligations and even alleged that a contractor owed more than N100 million died after being unable to afford medical treatment.
He also criticised moves to transfer contractors’ claims to the Debt Management Office, describing such plans as unacceptable.
According to Seun, the total amount owed to indigenous contractors now stands at about N1.15 trillion.
The protest and ultimatum added to growing tensions ahead of one of the ruling party’s most significant gatherings, with implications for both political proceedings and public order if the impasse is not quickly resolved.
