ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the National Assembly, has accused the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, of ruling Abuja with an “emperor mentality” and showing blatant disregard for the welfare of its residents.
Speaking during an interview on Political Paradigm, a Channels Television programme aired on Tuesday, Kingibe alleged that Wike has not made any positive difference in the lives of Abuja citizens and that he has failed to involve her in the budgeting process despite her role as the elected senator for the territory.
“In the last few months, I gave it some thought and said at the end of the day, all I want is my people to benefit. If being less antagonistic to the minister would help bring development to the people, then fine,” she said.
“So, I decided that in spite of the things that I don’t like that he is doing, I will minimise my public criticisms of him, but it’s not made any difference because he has an emperor mentality.”
The Labour Party lawmaker also accused the FCT minister of owing workers’ salaries and failing to prioritize critical sectors like healthcare, education, and agriculture.
Kingibe and Wike have been embroiled in a prolonged political feud since they assumed their respective offices, she in June 2023 and he in August 2023.
While Kingibe is a member of the Labour Party (LP), Wike, originally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), now serves in President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration.
According to the senator, Wike’s leadership has not only lacked empathy but has worsened insecurity in the FCT.
She pointed to the surge in criminal activities, particularly the increase in one-chance robberies and kidnappings, which according to her, are enabled by poorly lit roads due to non-functional streetlights.
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Kingibe further stated that Wike’s widely touted infrastructure efforts pale in comparison to what was achieved by former FCT Minister, Nasir El-Rufai.
“There should be more money in healthcare, education and agriculture,” she said, lamenting that Wike has refused to allocate adequate funding to these essential sectors.
Recounting a personal incident that highlighted the minister’s lack of cooperation, the senator said she once reached out to Wike in an effort to foster collaboration, but the minister ended the phone call abruptly.
“I once reported Wike to Senate President Godswill Akpabio after the minister cut me off a call I initiated in the spirit of peace and synergy,” she said.
Meanwhile, the rift between the two public officials has drawn increasing attention, particularly due to their contrasting political alignments.
While Kingibe continues to represent opposition interests in the LP, Wike, despite his PDP background, has become a high-profile ally of the APC government, often causing tension within his own party.
Earlier reports have chronicled their frequent clashes on development strategy and political turf in the FCT.
Despite Kingibe’s attempts to reduce public criticism, the senator insists that Wike’s governing style continues to undermine collaboration and the wellbeing of the people.