Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has told the senator representing the FCT, Ireti Kingibe, that she will not return to the National Assembly in 2027, while dismissing her criticism of the administration’s borrowing and infrastructure projects.
Wike made the remarks on Tuesday while speaking with journalists during an inspection of ongoing road construction and rehabilitation projects across the Federal Capital Territory.
The minister was responding to allegations by Senator Kingibe concerning loans reportedly obtained by the FCT Administration without the approval of the National Assembly.
Reacting sharply to the allegation, Wike described Kingibe as an “illiterate” and argued that no loan could legally be obtained by the government without the necessary legislative approval.
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“She is an illiterate, with all due respect, and that is why she is not going back to the Senate. She has nothing to offer to the people of the FCT,” Wike said.
According to the minister, borrowing by government must be reflected in the budget and subjected to the appropriate approval process.
“There is no way you can go and take a loan without the approval of the National Assembly. Anyone take a loan, you will include it in the budget that this aspect of this budget, the government is going to collect loan,” he added.
Wike: Kingibe Is Already on Her Way Out
Wike said he would not spend much time responding to Kingibe’s comments, claiming that residents of the FCT had already made their political choice ahead of the 2027 elections.
He linked the development to support for President Bola Tinubu and former FCT senator Philip Aduda, whom he identified as his preferred candidate for the FCT senatorial seat.
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“I don’t want to comment about her. When the time is right, let her pack her bags out, the people have made their choice by agreeing to support President Tinubu, and then will support Philip Aduda for Senate,” Wike said.
The minister further described Kingibe’s criticisms as irrelevant, saying he was more focused on delivering infrastructure projects across the capital territory.
‘The Question Should Be What the Loan Is Being Used For’
Wike also challenged the substance of Kingibe’s criticism, arguing that the more important issue should be whether borrowed funds were being properly deployed to infrastructure development.
According to him, borrowing is not necessarily problematic if the funds are used for projects that benefit residents.
“If her problem is that I took a loan, if I took a loan, I am using it to work,” he said.
Wike said the senator should instead be asking whether the funds were being used in the interest of FCT residents.
“I thought her concern would have been: are we applying the loan to work for the interest of residents?” he added.
Wike Links Criticism to 2027 Politics
The FCT minister also suggested that Kingibe’s criticism was politically motivated, particularly following the lifting of the ban on campaigns for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.
He pointed to the ongoing inspection of road projects as evidence of the administration’s performance, arguing that the projects themselves could serve as a demonstration of the government’s achievements.
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“When is the time to campaign? Look at what we are doing. That is the campaign,” Wike said.
He added that residents would see the projects being executed under the Tinubu administration and make their own decisions at the polls.
“As I finish now, then she know what we are doing, and they are seeing every road, and tell everyone that this is what President Tinubu is doing.”
Wike Inspects FCT Road Projects
During the inspection, Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress of several ongoing road projects in the FCT.
Among the areas inspected were the N1 road and road stretches linking Tunga Madaki, Zuba and Kagini.
The minister said the completion of the projects would improve transportation and stimulate economic activities in communities located along the affected corridors.
He particularly highlighted the potential impact on residents of rural communities, saying improved road infrastructure would provide better access and create opportunities for economic development.
According to Wike, the ultimate objective of government is to improve the lives of citizens and make residents feel the impact of governance.
The exchange between Wike and Kingibe comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections begin to intensify, with disagreements over governance, infrastructure spending and the FCT Administration increasingly becoming subjects of public debate.
Cruise TV News will continue to monitor developments surrounding the FCT Administration, Senator Ireti Kingibe and preparations for the 2027 elections.
