Wike Says Kingibe Will Not Return to Senate, Defends FCT Borrowing

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said Senator Ireti Kingibe will not return to the Senate in 2027, while defending the FCT Administration’s borrowing for infrastructure projects.

Wike made the statement on Tuesday while responding to journalists during an inspection of ongoing road projects in Abuja.

His comments followed allegations by Kingibe, who represents the FCT in the Senate, that the FCT Administration had obtained loans without the required approval of the National Assembly.

The minister dismissed the allegation, insisting that government borrowing must be captured in the budget and subjected to the required approval process.

Wike described Kingibe as “illiterate” over her position on the loans and alleged that she had failed to offer meaningful representation to residents of the FCT.

“She has nothing to offer to the people of the FCT,” Wike said, while insisting that residents had already made their choice ahead of the 2027 election.

He further stated that the people of the FCT would support President Bola Tinubu and former senator Philip Aduda in the forthcoming elections.

Wike, who has previously backed Aduda for the FCT Senate seat, said the focus should be on whether borrowed funds were being properly used to execute infrastructure projects that benefit residents.

Kingibe had earlier raised concerns over the FCT’s borrowings, citing information from the Debt Management Office covering the period between August 2023 and March 2026.

The senator had questioned whether the required legislative approvals were obtained for the loans, saying she had not seen Wike appear before the Senate to seek approval.

The House of Representatives has, however, rejected the allegation that Wike violated the required borrowing procedures. Its Deputy Spokesman, Philip Agbese, said there was no evidence that the minister breached the relevant process in financing FCT infrastructure projects.

During the project inspection, Wike highlighted ongoing works on the N1 road and other routes covering Tunga Madaki, Zuba and Kagini.

He said the projects were aimed at improving connectivity, stimulating economic activity and enhancing the quality of life of residents in communities across the FCT.

The disagreement between Wike and Kingibe comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, with both political figures taking opposing positions on the administration’s infrastructure financing and the representation of the FCT in the Senate.