Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has accused FCT Minister Nyesom Wike of exhibiting an “emperor mentality” and failing to prioritise the welfare of Abuja residents.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm on Tuesday, the Labour Party lawmaker said the minister’s actions have not improved the lives of the people, adding that he had sidelined her in key decision-making processes, including the drafting of the FCT budget.
“In recent months, I’ve reflected and concluded that all I truly want is development for my constituents. I chose to tone down public criticism of the minister to encourage progress, but it has made no difference. He has an emperor mentality,” she said.
Kingibe criticised Wike for failing to pay salaries and for excluding her from discussions that concern the FCT. She also blamed him for the worsening security situation in the capital, citing an increase in one-chance robberies, kidnappings, and dark roads due to non-functional streetlights.
She argued that former FCT Minister Nasir El-Rufai delivered better results in infrastructure than Wike has, despite the current minister’s public claims.
According to Kingibe, the budget ought to prioritise sectors like health, education, and agriculture, yet Wike has refused to allocate adequate funding to these critical areas.
The senator also revealed that she once reported Wike to Senate President Godswill Akpabio after he abruptly ended a phone call she had initiated in an attempt to promote cooperation.
Kingibe and Wike have been engaged in a prolonged political row since they assumed their respective positions in 2023. While Kingibe belongs to the opposition Labour Party, Wike, although a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, currently serves under the ruling All Progressives Congress-led federal government.