Kingibe insisted that her responsibility as a senator representing the people of the FCT is to ask questions and demand accountability.
By Kehinde Okeowo
The senator representing the nation’s capital, Ireti Kingibe, has responded to the threat issued by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, insisting that she cannot be intimidated.
She fired back at the former Rivers State governor on Thursday in a post shared on her official X account (formerly Twitter).
Her comments stemmed from Wike’s outburst, in which he described her as illiterate and re-echoed his threat that the lawmaker would not be re-elected to the Senate in 2027.
The political clash followed a remark by the senator, who, in an interview on national television, accused Wike of obtaining a loan for the FCT without the Senate’s approval.
The senator also dared the minister to show the people of the FCT evidence of the National Assembly’s approval for the loan.
Countering the loan allegation while inspecting ongoing road projects in Abuja on Tuesday, Wike said: “There is no way you can go and take a loan without the approval of the National Assembly. If you want to take a loan, you will include it in the budget and state that, in this aspect of the budget, the government will take out a loan.”
Turning to Kingibe’s political future, the FCT Minister added: “I don’t want to comment about her. She is already packing her things out. The people of the FCT have made their choice. They are going to support President Tinubu and Philip Aduda for Senate.”
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However, while responding to the threat, Kingibe insisted that her responsibility as a lawmaker representing the people of the FCT is to ask questions and demand accountability
She went on to state that she is expected to raise queries and ‘defend the constitutional principles’ on behalf of her constituency.
Taking to her verified handle, she wrote: “I have never been one to be intimidated by insults, threats or political pressure, and I will not start now. My responsibility as a senator representing the people of the Federal Capital Territory is to ask questions, demand accountability and defend the constitutional principles upon which our democracy stands.
“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.
“As for not getting approval for the loans, 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. I cannot speak for the House of Representatives, but I know that it was never brought before the Senate.
“The President, from whom the Minister derives his powers, has always sought approval for all loans from the Senate. No minister, no matter how powerful, is above the law. No public office holder is above scrutiny. And no individual has the authority to decide by personal declaration who the people of the FCT will elect in 2027. That decision belongs solely to the people.
“I also want to make this very clear: attempts to intimidate, silence or demean women in government are totally unacceptable. Women who choose to serve in public office must not be expected to remain silent simply because they ask difficult questions or refuse to compromise their principles.
“I will not be distracted by personal attacks. I will continue to speak when the interest of the FCT demands it, scrutinise matters that require scrutiny and stand firmly for the people I represent. I did not enter public service to be intimidated. I entered it to serve. The will of the people of the FCT will prevail on the day of the election.”
