The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said the senator representing the FCT, Ireti Kingibe, will not return to the Senate after the 2027 elections, while defending the FCT Administration’s decision to borrow funds for infrastructure projects.
Wike made the statement on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking with journalists during an inspection of ongoing road projects in the nation’s capital.
The minister was responding to Kingibe’s criticism of the FCT Administration over alleged borrowing without approval from the National Assembly. Wike rejected the allegation and argued that government borrowing for projects must follow the required budget and approval process.
The disagreement between the two officials has added to their ongoing political differences over the management and development of the Federal Capital Territory.
Wike also criticised Kingibe’s understanding of the borrowing process and said her position was not supported by the procedure through which government loans are obtained.
The FCT minister further said he was not interested in spending more time responding to the senator, claiming that residents of the territory had already made their political choice ahead of the 2027 election.
Wike has previously expressed support for former FCT Senator Philip Aduda in the race for the Senate seat. He again referred to Aduda while discussing the political contest and said he expected residents to support the candidates they had chosen.
The minister also argued that the main issue should not be whether the FCT Administration had borrowed money but whether the funds were being used for projects that would benefit residents.
Kingibe had earlier raised concerns over loans allegedly obtained by the FCT Administration without the required approval of the National Assembly. She said her position was based on information from the Debt Management Office covering the period from August 2023 to March 2026.
The House of Representatives later rejected the allegation. Its Deputy Spokesman, Philip Agbese, said there was no evidence that Wike had breached the required process in financing infrastructure projects in the FCT. He also stated that borrowing for infrastructure was permissible where the necessary approvals and procedures had been followed.
Wike linked the dispute to the political season ahead of the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections. He said the ongoing construction projects in the capital also formed part of the activities being used to present the Federal Government’s work to residents.
According to the minister, the lifting of the campaign restriction for the President and National Assembly candidates means political parties and politicians can now openly present their records and plans to voters.
Speaking about the projects inspected, Wike said he was satisfied with the progress of work on the N1 road and other routes connecting Tunga Madaki, Zuba and Kagini.
He said the completion of the projects would improve movement and economic activities in the affected communities. He also said better roads and other infrastructure would create opportunities for residents and improve their quality of life.
Wike maintained that providing infrastructure remained an important part of governance and said the FCT Administration would continue with projects aimed at improving living conditions across the capital territory.