‘You Can’t Silence Me’: Kingibe Fires Back at Wike Over FCT Loans, 2027

The public verbal brick-bat between Senator Ireti Kingibe and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has entered another round.

And this time, Kingibe is not merely defending her criticism of the Federal Capital Territory Administration. She is challenging the minister’s attempt to make a prediction about her political future.

Wike had said Kingibe would not return to the Senate in 2027 and backed former FCT senator Philip Aduda for the seat.

Kingibe’s response was blunt: Wike cannot decide who the people of the FCT will elect.

She also rejected the idea that criticism of the FCT Administration amounts to disrespect.

“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,” she said.

That takes the quarrel back to where it started: FCT borrowing. Kingibe had questioned whether loans obtained by the FCT Administration received the required legislative approval.

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Wike dismissed the allegation and argued that government borrowing is captured in budgets and subjected to legislative approval.

Kingibe has now challenged him to produce the Senate’s Votes and Proceedings showing where the approval was granted.

“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,” she said.

There is an important distinction here. Whether the FCT borrowing complied with all legal and procedural requirements is a question of evidence and law.

Whether Kingibe wins another Senate term is a question for voters. The minister can campaign for a preferred candidate.He can criticise his political opponent.

But an election prediction from a minister is still a political assertion, not the result of an election. The people of Abuja have not yet voted. That small detail, inconveniently, remains relevant. ValidViewNetwork reports.