Wike to Ireti Kingibe: We’ll unseat you as FCT senator in 2027
Nyesom Wike, the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), has declared that Ireti Kingibe, the senator representing the nation’s capital, will not be re-elected in 2027.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday during the inauguration ceremony of the Mabushi bus terminal construction, Wike made his intentions clear.
Read Also : Death Toll in Gwoza Bombing Attack Rises to 32
“If we have done well, we have done well. If we haven’t done well, we haven’t done well. I am proud to say that in the short time President Tinubu has appointed us, we have done well,” Wike stated.
“You said there are no schools and hospitals. You, as a legislator, what have you done? How many bills have you sponsored to improve our education and health sectors?”
“I challenge that legislator. If you are very popular, in 2027, come and run under Abuja; we will defeat you.”
“You think that what happened last time will happen again? It will not happen again. If you are popular, come and run. Fortunately for me, I am the FCT minister now. So, here is my territory, and I am not afraid.”
“People should be able to accept the truth. We are not begging for anyone to be our friend. We have so many friends that we cannot even carry them along. So, how can we go and beg people to be our friends? We are not interested in that.”
Wike-Kingibe Clash
Kingibe, a member of the Labour Party (LP), defeated Philip Aduda of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election.
Aduda, an ally of Wike, was a senator from 2011 to 2023.
Kingibe and Wike have not had a good working relationship since they assumed their respective offices.
The lawmaker has repeatedly accused Wike of sidelining her, despite being the senator representing the FCT.
Both politicians have recurrently lashed out at each other on various occasions.
Wike said Kingibe’s anger stemmed from his constant companionship with Aduda and because she was not appointed as the senate chairperson of the committee on FCT.
In September 2023, Kingibe said Wike did not have the executive powers to make threats of demolition of “illegal buildings” in the territory.
In January, the lawmaker claimed that Wike had refused to respond to her letters and messages amid rising insecurity in Abuja.
The senator also claimed that Wike did not have the interest of the FCT at heart, asserting that residents were battling water scarcity amid other challenges.
