Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has openly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to appoint Nyesom Wike as Minister of the FCT, calling it his “greatest political blunder.”
In an exclusive interview with Arise TV, Kingibe described Wike’s leadership style as autocratic and accused him of consistently disregarding the rule of law, reinstating scrapped agencies without legal backing, and making unilateral decisions harmful to the residents of Abuja.
"Wike Rules Without Laws or Limits" – Kingibe
Kingibe expressed deep concern over Wike’s approach to governance, stating:
“The primary thing is that the minister doesn’t obey the rule of law. He’s autocratic. He doesn’t follow any rules or any laws. And when you try to draw his attention that governance is based on laws, the rule of law, he doesn’t accept that.”
She further accused the minister of restoring defunct agencies without going through the necessary legislative processes, a move she says undermines constitutional order.
Land Controversies: University of Abuja and Bwari Hospital Affected
According to Kingibe, one of Wike's most controversial actions was the revocation of 7,000 hectares out of 11,000 hectares of land allocated to the University of Abuja, which she claimed violates the Land Use Act.
“It is definitely against the Land Use Act for you to take land from institutions to give them to individuals,” she noted.
She also revealed that land designated for a general hospital in Bwari was revoked and repurposed for a commercial development such as a mall or market.
Mass Job Losses and Neglect of Local Workers
Kingibe said that thousands of underprivileged women particularly widows previously employed to clean the streets of Abuja were fired under Wike’s administration without being replaced by mechanical alternatives.
“He comes, he’s fired them all… Then he doesn’t replace them with mechanical street sweepers. So, Abuja is looking dirty.”
She also highlighted the plight of hundreds of small indigenous contractors who remain unpaid for work completed under the FCT:
“He says, no, he’s not paying them. He didn’t give them the job. And that’s that. Two years on, they haven’t been paid.”
Wike’s Popularity Questioned Despite Poll Ratings
Reacting to recent polls that seemingly praised Wike’s performance, Kingibe questioned their legitimacy:
“Depending on who conducted the poll and how it was conducted… Can he tell the people to vote in a certain way and they obey? That will be the real test.”
She dismissed the polls as potentially biased and stressed that upcoming local elections would be a true measure of his influence.
“Tinubu’s Greatest Mistake Was Appointing Wike”
Senator Kingibe did not hold back on her view of President Tinubu’s decision to empower Wike:
“If I were making a list of all the things that President Tinubu has done wrong, the greatest wrong he’s done to himself… has been on Minister Wike.”
Harassment of Embassies and Lack of Accountability
Kingibe accused the FCT Minister of harassing embassies and institutions over unpaid ground rent, and raised concerns about the lack of financial transparency:
“TSA, all his Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)—what has he done with it? He’s never accounted for anything.”
She vowed to present documentation to the relevant oversight bodies and push for the National Assembly to reassert its role in supervising the minister’s actions.
Lack of Collaboration for FCT Development
Despite being a key representative of the FCT, Kingibe claimed that Wike has consistently ignored her attempts to collaborate:
“He has never reached out. I’ve made overtures, but he doesn’t respond. It’s unfortunate because we could achieve so much more for the people of Abuja.”
Conclusion
Senator Ireti Kingibe’s interview paints a stark picture of discord, alleged lawlessness, and dissatisfaction within the Federal Capital Territory’s leadership. As public discontent grows and local elections approach, the implications of this rift could play a significant role in shaping the political landscape of Abuja.
Do not forget to subscribe to our blog and follow us on Facebook
Page manager
