Amidst ongoing political friction between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike and Senator Ireti Kingibe, a distressing situation has come to light regarding the state of primary education in the FCT. A civic tech platform, Monitng, revealed that no fewer than 96 pupils at the LEA primary school in Kigbe community, Kwali Area Council, Abuja, are forced to sit on the bare floor during their lessons due to a lack of furniture.
Monitng’s post on Tuesday demanded urgent intervention from both Wike and Kingibe to address this alarming issue. “A local authority school located in LEA primary school Kigbe community Kwali Area Council FCT Abuja, where over 96 pupils sit on bare floors in their classrooms to learn,” the platform shared.
This revelation comes at a time when Wike and Kingibe are locked in a public dispute. Wike, the former governor of Rivers State, has recently been embroiled in political controversies, including his response to criticisms from Kingibe regarding his performance as the FCT minister. Kingibe, representing the FCT under the Labour Party, criticized Wike’s efforts, stating that FCT residents remain unimpressed and continue to suffer from a lack of essential amenities such as schools, hospitals, and potable water.
Wike, in his rebuttal, dismissed Kingibe’s claims and questioned her understanding of the issues at hand. He asserted that he has made significant progress since assuming office and predicted that Kingibe would lose support in the 2027 elections due to her lack of cooperation with the FCT Administration and her opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“I overheard somebody on Arise TV this morning. Unfortunately, I hear the person is a member of the National Assembly and it is unfortunate I say so,” Wike remarked. “With all due respect, what you don’t know, you don’t know, what you know, you know, and the good thing for you is to tell people you don’t when you don’t know, then people will educate you.”
He continued, “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 that Mr. President has appointed us, we have done well.”
Despite Wike’s self-praise, the dire conditions at LEA primary school in Kigbe underscore the urgent need for tangible improvements in the FCT’s educational infrastructure. The civic group Monitng’s disclosure puts pressure on both Wike and Kingibe to move beyond their political rivalry and address the immediate needs of their constituents, particularly the vulnerable children who are deprived of basic learning facilities.
The situation at Kigbe is a stark reminder of the gaps in governance that need immediate attention. As political leaders, Wike and Kingibe have a responsibility to ensure that basic educational needs are met and that children in the FCT have access to conducive learning environments. The focus should shift from political banter to actionable solutions that improve the lives of the people they serve.
The plight of the pupils at LEA primary school calls for an urgent and collaborative response from both Wike and Kingibe. Their political differences should not overshadow the pressing needs of the community, particularly the children who represent the future of the FCT. Ensuring adequate furniture and better learning conditions for these pupils should be a top priority for the FCT administration.
