Following Chronicles Reporters’ recent publication uncovering alleged financial misconduct involving the Gwagwalada Area Council and its network of favored contractors, the Campaign Media Team of Hon. Ezekiel Umar Biko, an APGA chairmanship aspirant, has issued a public press statementrefuting the claims.
In the statement released via Facebook on October 29, Hon. Biko described the investigative report as “false, baseless, and malicious”, insisting that it was “a politically motivated attempt to tarnish his reputation and credibility.”
However, in a separate conversation with Chronicles Reporters correspondent, Hon. Ezekiel Umar Biko himself confirmed that he indeed executed several council contracts — including a solar energy installation project — under the administration of Hon. Abubakar Jibrin Giri, the current Executive Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council.
Ezekiel revealed that despite completing over 50% of the project, the chairman has refused to pay him over ₦100 million, a debt he claims has lingered for months.
“Yes, I handled a solar contract for the council through the chairman’s directive,” Ezekiel told our reporter. “The job was over 50% done and verified, but I have not been paid up till today. The council owes me over a hundred million naira.”
The revelation appears to contradict the official denial from his media team and raises fresh questions about the nature of contractual dealings between political figures and the Gwagwalada Area Council.
Insiders within the council alleged that many of these contracts were awarded without transparent bidding, a practice believed to be part of a broader system of political patronage.
While Ezekiel maintains that his involvement was purely professional, his admission adds weight to growing concerns about how public funds and council projects are being handled.
Legal analyst Barr. Yinka Oyesomi, counsel to Chronicles Reporters, reacted to the new revelation, stating:
“What we are uncovering is not just about one contract — it’s about a cycle of insider dealings where political allies benefit from inflated or irregular projects while essential services in Gwagwalada suffer. The fact that one of the contractors himself has confirmed being owed over ₦100 million by the chairman gives credibility to our ongoing investigation.”
As Chronicles Reporters continues its “Gwagwalada Files” investigation, new leads suggest that multiple contractors — some linked to political figures — were used as fronts to channel funds for non-existent or incomplete projects.