Kingibe to Tinubu: Wike’s appointment as minister, grave political mistake

Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Senate, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to appoint Nyesom Wike as Minister of the FCT as a major political misstep. In a strongly worded interview with ARISE Television, Kingibe called the move the president’s “greatest error,” accusing Wike of autocratic leadership and a blatant disregard for the rule of law.

“If I were to list everything President Tinubu has done wrong, the greatest wrong he’s done to himself—what has demarketed him the most—is appointing Wike,” Kingibe stated.

She alleged that Wike, a member of the opposition, has operated without respect for existing laws and institutions, and has reintroduced defunct agencies without the necessary legislative approval.

“Wike doesn’t follow rules or laws. He believes he can act without consequence,” Kingibe said, expressing frustration at the minister’s bypassing of the National Assembly in his policy and financial decisions.

Citing specific instances, the senator accused Wike of illegally revoking 7,000 out of 11,000 hectares allocated to the University of Abuja, in violation of the Land Use Act. She also claimed that land in Bwari initially allocated for a general hospital was repurposed by Wike for a private development project.

Kingibe further alleged that Wike’s leadership has worsened conditions for vulnerable residents of the FCT. According to her, the minister terminated the employment of hundreds of indigent women who had been engaged in street sweeping, a key livelihood source, and failed to replace them with mechanical alternatives, leaving the city untidy.

She also raised concerns about the non-payment of over 400 small indigenous contractors in Abuja, saying Wike has refused to settle debts owed for work completed prior to his appointment.

“He says he won’t pay them because he didn’t give them the jobs. But the jobs were done, and people are suffering,” she said.

The senator criticized the minister’s handling of FCT finances, claiming Wike has not accounted for revenue generated internally or from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), apart from the national budget submitted to the National Assembly.

Kingibe said she intends to pursue accountability through formal channels, vowing to present her findings to the appropriate legislative body.

“I’m going to take those documents to the National Assembly and insist that Wike must seek legislative approval for every financial transaction,” she said.

Despite the potential political risks, Kingibe said she is not intimidated by Wike or his allies.

“I’m not afraid of him. I’m not saying he should be afraid of me, but he should know I’m watching, and I will speak out,” she declared.

She also alluded to recent concerns about her personal safety, revealing that she was followed by a black jeep after returning from an oversight function in Sokoto. Still, she expressed faith in divine protection and reaffirmed her commitment to her duties as a senator.

“I’m a senator of the Federal Republic. I have rights. It’s God who protects,” she concluded.