Kingibe Hits Back at Wike, Says She Won’t Be Intimidated

Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory in the Senate, has responded to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s recent comments, saying she will not be pressured into silence by insults, threats or political attacks.

Kingibe made her position known in a post on her verified X account on Thursday, September 24, 2026, following Wike’s latest criticism of the senator.

The disagreement between the two politicians followed Kingibe’s recent television interview, where she questioned the process through which the FCT obtained a loan and alleged that the borrowing was not approved by the Senate.

Wike subsequently attacked the senator and reportedly questioned her qualifications, while also repeating his earlier claim that she would not return to the Senate after the 2027 election.

Responding to the minister, Kingibe said she would continue to carry out her duties as an elected representative of the FCT by asking questions about government actions and seeking accountability.

She maintained that raising concerns about public borrowing, government funds and official decisions should not be treated as an attack on those in government, saying such scrutiny forms part of a legislator’s responsibilities.

Kingibe also challenged Wike to provide evidence showing that the Senate had approved the loan obtained for the FCT. She specifically asked that the relevant National Assembly records showing the approval be made available to the public.

The senator said she could not speak for the House of Representatives but maintained that, to her knowledge, the loan had not been presented before the Senate for approval.

She also referred to previous loan requests by the Federal Government, noting that the President had sought Senate approval for such borrowings. Kingibe argued that ministers and other public officials must operate within the law regardless of their positions.

On Wike’s comments about her political future, Kingibe said the decision on who represents the FCT in the Senate in 2027 belongs to voters in the territory rather than any individual political office holder.

The senator also raised concerns about what she described as attempts to silence or demean women serving in government. She said female public officials should be able to question government decisions and express their views without being subjected to personal attacks.

Kingibe said she would not allow the dispute with the minister to distract her from her responsibilities. She pledged to continue raising issues affecting the FCT, examining government actions that require scrutiny and representing the interests of the people who elected her.

The disagreement between Kingibe and Wike comes amid ongoing political tensions over governance and representation in the FCT ahead of the 2027 general elections.