The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will commence construction of a new headquarters for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja’s Maitama district, with President Bola Tinubu scheduled to perform the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday. The project forms part of activities marking the President’s second anniversary in office.
Government sources at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) confirmed the FCTA’s involvement in executing the project, noting the administration’s historical role in developing federal government infrastructure in the capital.
“The FCTA has been involved in building, and in some instances, maintaining federal government offices in Abuja, including the Presidential Villa,” a senior FCDA official disclosed. “The National Assembly and many agencies and some ministries were built by the FCTA.”
The source acknowledged potential concerns about the FCTA handling INEC’s headquarters, given the commission’s sensitive role: “But because INEC is a sensitive body, I know that people, especially politicians, will raise some concerns. However, I am not sure the aim is to influence the electoral body.”
Budget details remain undisclosed, with a director noting the 2025 FCTA budget has been approved by the National Assembly but awaits presidential assent.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s aide, Lere Olayinka, confirmed the project: “All federal public buildings in the nation’s capital belong to the FCTA, including the National Assembly.” He deferred questions about costs until the official flag-off.
The announcement comes amid controversy over Wike’s recent construction of judges’ quarters in Mabushi, which critics alleged was an attempt to curry favor with the judiciary – an accusation the minister denied.
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