“No individual can decide who FCT residents will elect in 2027” — Senator Ireti Kingibe

Senator Ireti Kingibe has pushed back against Nyesom Wike’s prediction about the outcome of the 2027 Senate election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), insisting that the decision ultimately belongs to voters.

The FCT senator made the position known in a Thursday post on X while responding to comments by Wike, the FCT minister, who said residents had already chosen their preferred candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.

Wike had also dismissed Kingibe’s earlier concerns over government borrowing and said she would not return to the Senate.

Kingibe defends scrutiny of government

Rather than backing down from her criticism, Kingibe maintained that questioning government activities is part of her responsibility as an elected lawmaker.

She said her concerns about public borrowing should not be interpreted as disrespect, stressing that legislators are expected to demand accountability from government officials.

“If I raise questions about public borrowing, public funds, or the conduct of government, it is not an act of disrespect; it is part of my duty as a legislator,” Kingibe said.

The senator also rejected what she described as attempts to silence public officials through political pressure, saying she would continue to raise issues affecting the FCT.

Disagreement over loan approvals

The latest exchange followed a disagreement between Kingibe and Wike over the process through which loans obtained by government are approved.

Kingibe had previously questioned the FCT’s borrowing activities and said she had raised the matter with the Senate leadership.

She also claimed that she had not seen Wike appear before the Senate to seek approval for any borrowing.

“I have never seen Wike come to the national assembly and before the senate to ask for approval of anything,” she said.

Wike later rejected the claim, arguing that Kingibe’s comments reflected a misunderstanding of the process for obtaining government loans.

According to the minister, loans must form part of the budget and receive approval from the National Assembly.

“There is no way you can go and take a loan without the approval of the national assembly. If you want to take a loan, you will include it in the budget and state that, in this aspect of the budget, the government will take out a loan,” he said.

Senator challenges minister to show evidence

Kingibe has now asked Wike to produce documentary evidence to support his position that the Senate approved the loans in question.

She specifically called for the relevant Votes and Proceedings of the Senate to be made public.

“As for not getting approval for the loans, I dare the FCT minister to show the people of the FCT, and all who have asked, the Votes and Proceedings of the day the approval was given,” Kingibe said.

She added: “I cannot speak for the house of representatives but I know that it was never brought before the Senate.”

Kingibe rejects Wike’s 2027 prediction

Wike had earlier said Kingibe was already preparing to leave the Senate, while claiming that FCT residents would support President Bola Tinubu and Philip Aduda in the next election.

“I don’t want to comment about her. She is already packing her things out. The people of the FCT have made their choice. They are going to support President Tinubu and Philip Aduda for senate.”

Kingibe, however, said Wike had no authority to determine who the people of the FCT would elect.

“No individual has the authority to decide by personal declaration who the people of the FCT will elect in 2027. That decision belongs solely to the people,” she said.

‘I will not be distracted’

The senator also criticised attempts to intimidate or demean women holding public office.

“I also want to make this very clear: attempts to intimidate, silence, or demean women in government are totally unacceptable,” she said.

Kingibe added that women in public service should not be expected to remain silent when they raise difficult questions or stand by their principles.

“I will not be distracted by personal attacks. I will continue to speak when the interest of the FCT demands it, scrutinise matters that require scrutiny, and stand firmly for the people I represent.”