A group of contractors in Ekiti State has raised alarm over alleged non-payment for agricultural land-clearing projects executed earlier this year, accusing Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s administration of withholding funds despite full disbursement from the Federal Government.
The contractors, operating under the umbrella of Concerned Ekiti Contractors, said they were awarded contracts in February 2025 to clear farmlands across different parts of the state. According to them, the projects were completed more than three months ago, but payment has not been made by the state government.
They alleged that the funds released by the Federal Government for the projects have been mismanaged at the state level, leaving them in dire financial distress. Many of the contractors said they had taken loans from commercial banks to finance the projects and are now struggling with accumulating interest due to the government’s failure to offset their bills.
“We finished our work three months ago, but Governor Oyebanji has refused to pay us. The Federal Government paid Ekiti State in full for these contracts, yet we have not received a kobo. Our lives and businesses are collapsing under debt,” the contractors said in a statement.
The group warned that the debt backlog piling up in the office of the Accountant-General could spiral into a financial crisis if urgent steps are not taken. They appealed directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and compel the Ekiti State Government to release their funds.
“We appeal to Mr. President to save the soul of Ekiti contractors and the people of Ekiti in general. Governor Biodun Oyebanji must be compelled to pay us our money,” the contractors pleaded.
The allegations come at a politically sensitive time for Governor Oyebanji, who is seeking a second term in office under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Critics argue that controversies around unpaid contracts, project execution, and resource management could undermine his credibility ahead of the party primaries scheduled for October 2025.
As of press time, the Ekiti State Government has not issued an official response to the allegations. However, political analysts say the contractors’ outcry could add to the growing discontent against the Oyebanji administration if not promptly addressed.
For now, the contractors insist that justice can only be served if they are paid without further delay.
