“You’re Not Abuja Governor”: FCT Senator Tackles Wike Over 8 Appointments

Abuja FCT – Federal Capital Territory (FCT) senator Ireti Kingibe has warned Nyesom Wike, the FCT’s coordinating minister, against exceeding his jurisdiction without seeking approval from the national legislature.

According to reports, Kingibe requested that the National Assembly carry out the legislative functions for the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in a way that is comparable to how the House Assembly carries out these functions for the state government.

She also criticized the nomination of mandate secretaries who reside outside the FCT, citing a recent private conversation she had with one of them in which she discovered to her dismay that the mandate secretary had no idea of the location of Kwali, one of the FCT’s area councils.

Kingibe claimed that because Wike was new to the FCT, he needed direction in order to carry out his responsibilities as the FCT Minister.

Regarding her friendship with Wike, Senator Kingibe remarked, “You must keep in mind that the minister and I have distinct objectives. Since I was elected by the people, he is not accountable to you, the people of the FCT. But I’m hoping that by working together, our interests can converge.

“I can’t push myself in front of the minister. The Senate is now on recess, so keep that in mind. As a lawmaker, I am. I have been absent. Therefore, they are not authorizing anything since a house that is not in session cannot grant approval.

“Last night, the election tribunal confirmed my election as a senator for the federal capital territory. That I may now begin the task that the FCT people chose me to accomplish makes me feel incredibly relieved. I’d like to start by thanking the best legal team and attorneys anyone could have. I’m incredibly fortunate to have had them.

“I have been so involved in my case, and the minister is brand new. It has not yet happened. When he called to congratulate me today (Tuesday), it was the first time we had spoken, and during that conversation, we gave each other our word that we would collaborate.

Senator Kingibe made the following statement in response to questions about possible demolitions in the FCT: “For one thing, I’m not assuring you that there will not be demolitions. Within the framework of the FCT, there are various issues. Take a look at the flooding that’s happening in the FCT—why is this happening? On flood plains and in flood channels, people are getting authorization to build estates, and houses are being constructed on flood channels themselves. There are a lot of problems that call for us to find solutions.

She cited the construction on the green areas and water ways as an example, using the Trademore estate as an illustration. She said that such would not be permitted to continue, but she added that the welfare and interests of the people living in the FCT would be maintained.

The ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) cannot have a special status was something that she and the other natives of the FCT were aware of.

“After the question has been resolved by the Supreme Court and if the same position is maintained, then we will agitate for a governor, three senators, and other status of a state; nevertheless, for the time being, let the problem remain as it is.”