By - FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe rejects Wike’s claim that she won’t return to the Senate in 2027, saying no one can determine her political fate
- Dispute stems from Kingibe’s allegation that the FCT Administration took loans without National Assembly approval, which Wike dismissed as a sign of ignorance
- Kingibe challenges Wike to produce Senate records proving the loans were approved, insisting scrutiny of public officials is her constitutional duty
The war of words between Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe escalated further on Thursday, with the lawmaker publicly rejecting the minister’s prediction that she will lose her seat in 2027 and insisting she will not be cowed into silence.
In a post on X, Kingibe said neither insults nor political pressure would stop her from carrying out her duties as a legislator, describing her questions about government borrowing and public funds as a legitimate part of her oversight role rather than an attempt to disrespect anyone in office.
The exchange traces back to Tuesday, when Wike, while inspecting road projects across the FCT, addressed Kingibe’s earlier allegation that the administration had taken out loans for infrastructure without clearance from the National Assembly. The minister rejected the claim outright, telling journalists that any government loan is built into the budget process and suggesting Kingibe’s comments reflected a poor grasp of how such approvals work. He went further, describing the senator dismissively and predicting that FCT residents had already thrown their support behind former senator Philip Aduda for the seat ahead of 2027.
Wike argued that the real question was not whether the administration had borrowed money, but whether the funds were being used to deliver projects that benefited residents, pointing to ongoing work on the N1 road and other stretches linking Tunga Madaki, Zuba and Kagini as evidence of progress. He also framed his project inspections as part of the broader 2027 campaign effort now that the official campaign period had opened for the presidency and National Assembly seats.
Kingibe Stands Her Ground
Responding on Thursday, Kingibe pushed back firmly, arguing that no public official, however powerful, sits above scrutiny. She challenged Wike to produce the Senate’s official Votes and Proceedings showing that the contested loans had in fact received legislative approval, saying she could not speak for the House of Representatives but was certain the matter was never brought before the Senate.
Her allegations had previously been dismissed by the House of Representatives, whose Deputy Spokesman, Philip Agbese, said there was no evidence Wike had breached required procedures in financing FCT projects, noting that borrowing for infrastructure is lawful once the proper approvals are secured. Kingibe’s camp maintains that the Senate specifically was never consulted, a distinction at the heart of her continuing pushback.
The clash comes against the backdrop of Wike’s earlier open backing of Aduda for the FCT senatorial seat, and adds to a string of public disagreements between the minister and Kingibe over the running and development of the nation’s capital, a rivalry that shows little sign of cooling as the 2027 election cycle gathers pace.
