The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, has firmly dismissed claims that the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, poses a threat to her political future ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Wednesday, Kingibe said the minister has no influence over her chances of returning to the Senate, stressing that elections in the FCT are decided solely by voters.
“Absolutely no,” she said when asked if she felt politically threatened by Wike. “Minister Wike cannot make me win, nor can he make me lose. He also cannot impose anybody on the FCT.”
According to the senator, the FCT has a long history of independent voting patterns that defy political control, noting that no leader—past or present—has been able to dictate electoral outcomes in the territory.
“From the time of former President Olusegun Obasanjo till now, hardly anybody controls how the people of the FCT vote. The FCT is simply not structured that way,” she said.
Kingibe also addressed her recent defection from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), explaining that the move was a strategic decision taken collectively by Labour Party members seeking re-election in 2027.
“I moved to the ADC because that’s where all of us from the Labour Party who are intending to run in 2027 decided to go, including those contesting area council elections,” she explained. “You need a platform to run, and the ADC is the viable alternative for those of us in the opposition.”
She emphasized that her defection had nothing to do with Wike, urging the minister to focus first on upcoming local government elections before speculating about 2027.
“Let’s see what happens in the local government elections before he starts talking about 2027,” Kingibe said, adding that she doubts the FCT would be Wike’s political priority as the next general elections approach.
Assessing the minister’s performance, the senator acknowledged areas requiring urgent attention, particularly waste management and healthcare delivery in the FCT.
She lamented the poor state of public health facilities, claiming that many hospitals lack essential drugs and equipment.
“Some hospitals in the FCT are empty. Beyond paracetamol, you can’t get anything,” she said. “These are serious issues that directly affect the well-being of the people.”
Kingibe also urged the minister to show greater respect for the rule of law in the administration of the FCT, noting that governance must prioritize citizens’ welfare above political considerations.
