ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the National Assembly, has dismissed claims that her political future is under threat from the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, insisting that the minister has no influence over electoral outcomes in the territory.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday, the senator said Wike had no role to play in determining whether she would return to the Senate in the 2027 general elections.
When asked directly if she felt politically threatened by the minister, Kingibe replied: “Absolutely no.”
According to her, electoral outcomes in the FCT are decided solely by voters and not by political office holders.
“The truth of the matter is that from the time of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to now, hardly anybody controls how the people of the FCT vote,” she said.
She stressed that Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, could neither secure her victory nor cause her defeat.
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“Minister Wike cannot make me win, nor can he make me lose, just like he cannot impose anybody on the FCT.
“The FCT is not structured that way. So I’m absolutely not threatened by him,” she added.
The senator also explained her decision to defect from the Labour Party (LP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the move as a practical step taken by opposition politicians ahead of 2027.
According to her, the ADC emerged as a viable platform for those seeking re-election after the Labour Party became riddled with internal crises.
Assessing Wike’s performance as FCT minister, Kingibe acknowledged some areas of concern, particularly waste management and healthcare, which she said required urgent attention.
She lamented the poor state of health facilities in the territory, claiming that many hospitals lacked essential medical supplies.
“I have issues with health: the hospitals are empty. There’s nothing. I can go with you to several hospitals in the FCT,” she said.
According to her, some facilities could barely offer basic medication.
“You’ll see that more than Panadol, you cannot get. All these are issues that affect the well-being of the citizens,” she added.
The senator also urged the minister to show greater respect for the rule of law in the administration of the FCT.