Kingibe, however, noted that FCT Minister, Wike, only appeared before the Senate’s FCT Committee, which has only sat once.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Senator Ireti Kingibe, the lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has alleged that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has been securing loans from financial institutions for the nation’s capital without recourse to the National Assembly.
She levelled the accusation against the former Rivers State governor on Tuesday while appearing as a guest on Channels Television programme, ‘Political Paradigm’.
Her comment follows her discussion about the FCT administration, the Abuja master plan, and the oversight responsibilities of the National Assembly.
According to Kingibe, records from the Debt Management Office (DMO) indicated that loans had been taken for the FCT between August 2023 and March 2026, despite Wike not appearing before the Senate to seek approval for such borrowing.
She further claimed that the minister ought to obtain the Senate’s approval before contracting a loan for the FCT, adding that she has brought the matter to the attention of the red chamber’s leadership.
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She, however, noted that Wike only appeared before the Senate’s FCT Committee, which has only sat once.
Speaking during the interview, Kingibe said, “I am definitely saying Wike has been taking loans without the approval of the National Assembly.
“I’m sorry to say, with all due respect to the Senate, of which I’m a member, we’re supposed to oversee him.
“We’re supposed to approve, and I have brought to the attention of the leadership of the Senate that the FCT is borrowing money.
“I have never seen Wike come to the National Assembly, come before the Senate, to ask for approval for anything. He comes before the FCT Committee, and that’s the only time it ever sat.”
