Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has declared that Senator Ireti Kingibe would not return to the Senate after the 2027 general elections.
Wike made the statement on Tuesday while speaking with journalists during an inspection of ongoing road projects in the FCT.
The minister was responding to Kingibe’s recent criticism of the FCT Administration over its borrowing, with the senator alleging that loans obtained by the administration were not approved by the National Assembly.
Wike rejected the allegation, insisting that borrowing by government is subject to the budgetary and legislative process.
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According to him, loans are captured in the budget and require approval through the National Assembly before they can be obtained.
He also argued that the more important issue should be whether borrowed funds were being used to execute infrastructure projects and improve the lives of FCT residents.
Wike further said residents of the FCT had made their choice ahead of the 2027 elections, adding that he would support President Bola Tinubu and former FCT Senator Philip Aduda.
The minister has previously expressed support for Aduda’s return to the Senate to represent the FCT.
The remarks come amid an ongoing public disagreement between Wike and Kingibe over the management and development of the FCT.
Kingibe had earlier said she had raised concerns about FCT borrowing and claimed she had not seen the minister appear before the Senate to seek approval for loans.
The dispute has also attracted reactions from members of the National Assembly. Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, previously said there was no evidence that Wike violated the required procedure in obtaining funds for FCT infrastructure projects.
Wike’s latest comments have further intensified the political disagreement between the FCT minister and the senator ahead of the 2027 elections.
