Wike’s FCTA to build new multi-bilion naira INEC headquarters in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under the leadership of Minister Nyesom Wike, is set to commence construction of a new multi-billion naira headquarters for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.

President Bola Tinubu is expected to perform the official groundbreaking of the project on Tuesday, as part of events marking his second anniversary in office.

The proposed headquarters will be located in Maitama, one of the capital city’s upscale districts. According to senior officials at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), the project will be funded and executed by the FCTA under the supervision of Minister Wike.

Although specific financial details remain undisclosed, officials confirmed the project will run into several billions of naira.

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Responding to questions about the rationale behind the FCTA constructing a facility for an independent body like INEC, an FCDA official explained that the administration has historically built and maintained various federal government structures in Abuja, including the National Assembly complex and the Presidential Villa.

When asked whether the project is reflected in the FCTA’s 2025 budget, a director who spoke on condition of anonymity said the budget had been passed by the National Assembly but was still awaiting presidential assent. Final budgetary details, the source noted, have yet to be made public.

The announcement comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Wike’s stewardship of the FCT. He recently faced criticism over the construction of residential quarters for judges in the Mabushi district, with detractors alleging political motives—a charge Wike has repeatedly denied.

Confirming the development, Lere Olayinka, Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to the FCT Minister, said the INEC headquarters project is fully under the purview of the FCTA.

He said every federal public building in Abuja, including the National Assembly, is technically an FCTA property.

On the project’s cost, he advised journalists to await the formal launch by President Tinubu.

(DAILY TRUST)