Ireti Kingibe Demands Apology From Wike

Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the FCT, has demanded an apology from Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister, over his comments about unseating her in 2027. The two have had a strained relationship since taking office, frequently criticizing each other.

Wike questioned Kingibe’s achievements for her constituents, to which she responded that she is significantly older than him and deserves respectful communication.

“He clearly doesn’t understand the concept of the FCT. If he did, it’s nothing personal. He says, ‘I don’t want to be her friend.’ How does governance translate into friendship?” she asked on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm.

Kingibe stated she is willing to work with Wike if he apologizes for his comment about her hanging on a transformer. “Once he does that, it’s all over. We can start afresh, but until then, everyone stays in their lane. With all due respect, I am much older than him. Even courtesy demands he should not speak to me like that.”

On July 1, Wike threatened that Kingibe would not be reelected in 2027, accusing her of underperformance. Speaking at the flag-off ceremony for the Mabushi Bus Terminal construction in Abuja, Wike said, “If we have done well, we have done well. If we haven’t, we haven’t. I am proud to say that in the short time President Tinubu has appointed us, we have done well.”

He challenged her legislative contributions, stating, “You said there are no schools and hospitals. You, as a legislator, what have you done? How many bills have you sponsored to improve our education and health sectors? If you are very popular, in 2027, come and run under Abuja; we will defeat you.”

Kingibe, a Labour Party member, defeated Philip Aduda, a Wike ally, in the 2023 election to become the FCT senator. Since then, she has accused Wike of sidelining her despite her representation of the capital territory.

Wike has claimed that Kingibe’s criticism stems from not being appointed as the chairperson of the Senate Committee on the FCT. Amidst ongoing insecurity in the capital, Kingibe has accused Wike of ignoring her calls and not prioritizing the interests of FCT residents.