Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has launched another blistering attack on FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe, declaring that she will not return to the Senate after the 2027 elections.
Wike made the remarks on Tuesday, September 22, while speaking with journalists after inspecting ongoing road projects in the Federal Capital Territory. His comments came amid a renewed dispute with Kingibe over allegations concerning FCT borrowing.
The minister dismissed Kingibe’s allegation that the FCT Administration had obtained loans without the approval of the National Assembly, insisting that government borrowing must go through the appropriate budgetary and legislative process.
“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.
He added that there was no way government could obtain a loan without National Assembly approval, arguing that proposed borrowing would be captured in the budget.
Kingibe had previously alleged that the FCT Administration obtained loans without the required legislative approval. She said she reviewed Debt Management Office records covering borrowings between August 2023 and March 2026 and raised the issue with the Senate leadership.
The allegation has, however, been rejected by officials in the National Assembly. Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, said Wike committed no infraction in borrowing to finance infrastructure projects in the FCT.
Wike, who has repeatedly opposed Kingibe’s return to the Senate, also said FCT residents had already made their choice ahead of the 2027 elections.
“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,” he said.
The minister further dismissed Kingibe as an “inferior” political opponent and said he would not waste time responding to her criticism.
The latest exchange deepens the longstanding public feud between Wike and Kingibe, who have repeatedly clashed over the administration and development of the FCT. Their latest confrontation has now been linked directly to the emerging political contest over the FCT Senate seat ahead of the 2027 elections.
Wike also argued that the focus should be on whether borrowed funds were being deployed to infrastructure projects that benefit residents rather than on the fact that the administration had borrowed money.
The 2027 contest for the FCT Senate seat is expected to remain a major political flashpoint as the two camps continue to trade accusations and counterclaims.
