Wike Doubts Kingibe’s 2027 Senate Chances, Questions Project Record

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed confidence that Senator Ireti Kingibe will not secure another term in the Senate in 2027, arguing that her tenure has not delivered measurable development outcomes.

Kingibe, who represents the FCT in the National Assembly, was elected in 2023 on the platform of the Labour Party before later moving to the African Democratic Congress. Relations between the senator and the FCT administration have remained strained, largely over issues relating to governance and infrastructure delivery.

The senator had recently accused the minister of failing to cooperate with her efforts to facilitate development initiatives across the territory. Speaking during a television interview on Channels Television, she said attempts to engage the minister formally had not resulted in productive collaboration.

But addressing journalists in Abuja, Wike rejected the claims and insisted that the senator’s performance would not earn her another mandate.

“I said it long ago — she will not return. People may dislike hearing the truth, but it remains the truth. Let her identify one project she has executed,” he said.

The minister further argued that Kingibe has not maintained a strong presence in the satellite communities, which he described as politically significant during elections.

Minister Defends Election Monitoring Role

Wike also responded to criticism surrounding his movements during the recent FCT area council elections, when opposition figures questioned his visits to polling centres.

He maintained that, as the territory’s chief security authority, he is entitled to monitor activities across polling locations and ensure stability.

“I have the responsibility to be aware of what happens in polling units for security reasons. I was not contesting, so my presence could not have influenced the outcome,” he said.

According to him, the limited number of polling units he visited could not have affected the broader electoral process. He instead attributed the opposition’s showing to inadequate preparation.

Wike added that the performance of the All Progressives Congress in the elections reflects growing support for the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The remarks highlight ongoing political rivalry in the FCT, where disagreements between federal authorities and elected representatives continue to shape the territory’s governance landscape.