Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the National Assembly, has dismissed suggestions that her political future is threatened by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.
Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, Kingibe insisted that Wike has “no say” in whether she returns to the Senate in 2027.
Asked if she felt politically intimidated by the minister, she replied, “Absolutely no.”
According to her, election outcomes in the FCT are determined solely by voters, not by political godfathers or powerful officeholders.
“From former President Obasanjo till now, hardly anybody controls how the people of the FCT vote,” she said. “Minister Wike cannot make me win, nor can he make me lose — and he cannot impose anybody on the FCT. The FCT is not structured that way.”
Kingibe also clarified that her defection from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was driven by political strategy, not fear of Wike.
She explained that many LP politicians seeking re-election or contesting local council seats in 2027 chose the ADC as what she described as a viable opposition platform.
“To run, you need a party. The ADC is a viable alternative to the Labour Party if you’re in the opposition,” she said, adding that she doubts the FCT will be Wike’s priority by 2027.
Assessing Wike’s performance, the senator argued that key sectors such as healthcare and waste management still require urgent attention. She alleged that some FCT hospitals are so poorly equipped that patients can get little beyond basic pain relief.
“The hospitals are empty. In many of them, you can’t get more than paracetamol,” she said, noting that she would also like to see the minister show greater adherence to the law.
