In a searing interview that has reignited political tensions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Ireti Kingibe declared that President Bola Tinubu made his most damaging political error by appointing Nyesom Wike as the Minister of the FCT.
Kingibe, who represents the FCT in the Senate, accused Wike of running the capital like a personal empire, disregarding constitutional procedures, dismantling livelihood structures, and ignoring institutional checks. She described Wike’s style of governance as autocratic and lawless, stating bluntly: “He doesn’t obey the rule of law… When you try to remind him that governance is based on laws, he doesn’t accept that.”
The Allegations: Land Revocations, Mass Sackings, and Lawlessness
Kingibe claimed Wike has illegally revived defunct agencies without legislative backing, in clear violation of due process.
“He brought back agencies without enabling laws. If he wants them, let him go through the National Assembly,” she said.
One of the most alarming examples she gave was the revocation of a significant portion of land allocated to the University of Abuja.
“UniAbuja had about 11,000 hectares. Wike revoked 7,000 and left them with four. That’s against the Land Use Act. You don’t strip institutions to enrich individuals,” she asserted.
Kingibe also accused Wike of firing hundreds of female street sweepers—mostly widows and indigent women—who had for years relied on the job for survival.
“He sacked them and didn’t replace them with mechanical sweepers. So now Abuja is dirty, and the women are jobless,” she lamented.
She also said the minister has refused to pay hundreds of indigenous small contractors owed by the FCT, stating that since he didn’t award the jobs, he’s not responsible for the debts—some of which are now two years old.
“Wike Acts Like He Owns Abuja”
Asked whether she feared the powerful minister, Kingibe made it clear: “I’m not afraid of Wike. I’m not saying he should fear me either, but he should know that I’m watching.”
She revealed a disturbing encounter where she was followed home by a black Jeep after an oversight trip to Sokoto, raising concerns over her safety. But she remained resolute: “I am a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I have rights… and it is God who protects.”
She also criticised Wike’s decision to revoke land originally designated for a hospital in Bwari and allegedly repurpose it for a commercial development.
“He Doesn’t Answer Letters, Doesn’t Report to the Assembly”
Senator Kingibe lamented that the minister treats the National Assembly with contempt.
“He doesn’t respond to official letters. And aside from the budget, he brings nothing to us. Where’s the transparency? What has he done with the TSA? The IGR?” she asked.
She also accused Wike of harassing embassies and residents alike over unpaid ground rent. “He is squeezing the entire city, but he’s not accountable to anyone,” she said.
A Personal Critique of Tinubu’s Decision
Beyond her criticism of Wike, Kingibe did not spare President Tinubu either. She said: “If I were to list President Tinubu’s political mistakes, Wike would top that list. His appointment was a grave misstep.”
The senator questioned why Tinubu handed such a critical role to someone from the opposition.
“Wike has used that platform to silence critics, create chaos, and alienate stakeholders,” she added.
Exit from Labour Party, Entry Into ADC Confirmed
Kingibe confirmed that she had officially left the Labour Party and would be joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC). “Yes, I’m defecting to ADC. Right now, the party is receiving a huge influx of politicians in the FCT. We are gearing up for a major political battle in 2026,” she announced.
Asked about the internal factional crisis that led to her suspension, Kingibe brushed it off, saying she had been without a party for months due to the split. “Both factions suspended each other. It’s time to move forward,” she concluded.
As the 2026 local elections draw closer, Kingibe’s explosive interview has set the tone for a political war in Abuja. What remains to be seen is how President Tinubu and the ruling APC will respond—and whether Senator Kingibe’s words will translate into political action or simply fade into another cycle of elite conflict.
