2027: Kingibe won’t come back as senator, Wike threatens

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has again declared that Ireti Kingibe will not return to the Senate in 2027, insisting the lawmaker has “no project to show” for her tenure.

Kingibe, who represents the FCT in the Senate and was elected in 2023 on the platform of the Labour Party, has been at odds with the minister over governance and development issues in Abuja.

Wike had first predicted in 2024 that the senator would fail in her re-election bid.

On Monday, he doubled down on that position during a media parley in Abuja, linking her political future directly to what he described as a lack of tangible impact.

“I had said it more than one year ago, Senator Ireti, you won’t come back as a senator. That’s why you people don’t like people who tell you the truth. It’s bitter. Let her show one project,” he said.

The renewed attack comes amid a lingering dispute between both officials. Kingibe had earlier accused the minister of ignoring her letters and messages, particularly on the issue of rising insecurity in the capital city.

She also questioned Wike’s commitment to the welfare of FCT residents, alleging that many communities were grappling with water scarcity and other pressing challenges.

Wike, however, suggested that the senator has failed to engage meaningfully with the grassroots, claiming she has been absent from satellite communities where voter turnout is often decisive.

The minister also addressed criticism from opposition parties over his presence at several polling units during the recent FCT area council elections.

Defending his action, Wike maintained that his visits were in line with his responsibility as the territory’s chief security officer.

“I’m the governor of FCT, for security, I have to find out what’s going on. I don’t need to be told. I’m not a candidate in the election. As the chief security officer, I have the right to have the view of what was going on,” he said.

“I wasn’t on the ballot and I never said people should vote for the APC. What I said was that the candidates supporting Mr President are the candidates I will support.”

According to him, he visited about 10 polling units and dismissed suggestions that his presence could have influenced the outcome.

“And how does it influence (the election)? When did Nigerians conduct referendum that they are not happy that I as chief security went to 10 polling units to check what was going on?” he asked.

Wike also rejected comparisons between his tenure and those of previous FCT ministers, particularly claims that he was being overly assertive in executing projects.

“What’s my business? You have said the previous ministers you had never bothered about development. So, because they didn’t do development, I should not do development?” he asked.