By Members of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, demanding immediate payment of outstanding debts allegedly owed to them by the Federal Government.
The protesters, led by the association’s National President, Jackson Ifeanyi Nwoss, carried placards and banners appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release funds for completed constituency and federal projects across the country.
The demonstration, which began around 10 a.m., caused heavy traffic gridlock at the main entrance of the National Assembly. Security operatives were forced to seal off the main gate, diverting staff and visitors to the back entrance, which also became congested.
Speaking with journalists, Nwoss accused the government of neglect and insincerity, saying several indigenous contractors had fallen into debt and hardship despite completing their contracts.
“We have fulfilled our part of the agreements, but the government has failed to pay. Many of our members are suffering,” Nwoss said.
He warned that the protest would continue until December 31 if the government failed to respond, adding that members would occupy key public offices nationwide as part of their peaceful campaign.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has reversed its earlier decision to suspend plenary for one week following the protest that blocked access to the National Assembly.
Initially, the House had adjourned to allow its leadership engage the Executive over the contractors’ grievances. However, following “positive developments” from ongoing discussions, the Clerk of the House, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, announced that plenary will reconvene on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, to enable the leadership to brief members during an executive session.
According to parliamentary sources, the decision reflects progress in negotiations between the National Assembly leadership and the Federal Ministry of Finance over the release of funds owed to local contractors.
