Ireti Kingibe, the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has fired back at comments made by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who threatened to unseat her in the upcoming 2027 elections. Tensions have been brewing between Kingibe and Wike since both assumed their respective roles.
During a recent event at the Mabushi Bus Terminal, Wike claimed that Kingibe would struggle to gain the support of the residents in the capital during the general elections. He criticized her for being displeased with the public’s positive reception of the FCT Administration under President Bola Tinubu, suggesting that instead of collaborating, she was taking offense.
In a particularly controversial remark, Wike suggested that if Kingibe was unhappy with his performance as Minister, she should take drastic measures by hanging herself from a transformer, a comment that drew widespread condemnation.
In her rebuttal, Kingibe expressed that Wike’s understanding of leadership in the FCT is fundamentally flawed and criticized his disrespectful approach towards her. In an interview on Channels TV’s Political Paradigm, she stated that Wike owes her an apology, emphasizing their age difference.
“He clearly does not grasp the essence of the FCT. If he did, he would realize this is not a personal matter. His declaration of not wanting to be my friend is irrelevant—governance is not about friendship,” she remarked.
Kingibe further asserted her willingness to collaborate with Wike, provided he first apologizes for his inappropriate comments. “Once he does that, we can move forward. Until then, we each have our roles to play. I deserve respect, especially considering that I am significantly older than him; basic courtesy should dictate his manner of address,” she concluded.
