Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has openly declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made a “critical political error” by appointing Nyesom Wike as the Minister of the FCT.
According to Kingibe, this decision has undermined the administration and intensified discontent within the capital city.
Speaking on ARISE Television, the lawmaker asserted that Wike’s appointment, especially as a member of the opposition, was not only politically ill-advised but has also had detrimental effects on governance in the territory.
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“It is my personal opinion that that is rather unfortunate, because if I were making a list of all the things that President Tinubu has done wrong, the greatest wrong he’s done to himself, the thing that has demarcated him the most, has been on Minister Wike,” Kingibe stated.
Kingibe accused Minister Wike of governing the FCT in an autocratic manner, with little regard for the rule of law.
She claimed that his leadership style has fostered an environment where institutions and legal frameworks guiding the territory are disregarded.
“The primary thing is that the minister doesn’t obey the rule of law. He is autocratic. He doesn’t follow any rules or any laws. And when you try to draw his attention to the fact that governance is based on the rule of law, he doesn’t accept that,” she said.
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The senator further alleged that Wike has reintroduced agencies without proper legal backing and has bypassed the National Assembly, circumventing the legislative process.
She emphasized, “Minister Nyesom Wike has brought back agencies without the enabling laws. If he wants these things, he should ask the National Assembly to create the enabling laws. But he doesn’t, because he just feels he can do anything.”
Kingibe cited specific instances to support her claims. She alleged that Wike illegally revoked substantial portions of land (7,000 out of 11,000 hectares) previously allocated to the University of Abuja, describing the move as a violation of the Land Use Act by taking institutional land for individuals.
She also accused the Minister of seizing land in Bwari initially reserved for a general hospital and converting it for private commercial development, such as a market or mall.
Furthermore, Kingibe stated that Wike’s leadership has led to job losses and increased frustration among residents, particularly vulnerable groups.
She pointed out that he fired indigent women who were previously employed to clean the streets, without replacing them with mechanical street sweepers, leading to a dirtier Abuja.
She also alleged non-payment for hundreds of small indigenous contractors in Abuja who rendered services before Wike assumed office, claiming, “He says, no, he’s not paying them. He didn’t give them the job.”
Kingibe expressed concern over Wike’s alleged refusal to engage the National Assembly in his financial activities, especially concerning funds from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and internally generated revenue.
“Wike, who is deriving powers from the president, does not go to the National Assembly for anything except budget. TSA, all his IGR, what has he done with it? He’s never accounted for anything,” she queried.
Senator Kingibe affirmed her intention to take up the matter with the appropriate authorities, armed with documents she has gathered.
She plans to “insist that the president from whom Wike derives his powers goes back to the National Assembly for approval for everything.”
When asked if she feared backlash from Wike or his supporters, Kingibe declared she is undeterred and confident in her mandate. “I’m definitely not afraid of him. I’m not saying he should be afraid of me. I’m just saying he should be aware that most things he does, I will know,” she asserted.
The senator also hinted at a recent security concern, mentioning a black jeep that followed her home after an oversight trip, but maintained, “I’m a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I have rights. I’m not afraid. It’s God who protects.”
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