Kingibe also assured Abuja residents and indigenes that she’ll be pushing for the status of a state for the FCT
By Kehinde Okeowo
Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe has backed the decision of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to demolish illegal structures erected in the nation’s capital.
She made this known recently while addressing a press conference after the National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal upheld her victory in the February 25 polls.
According to Kingibe, her goal and that of Wike are different since she is a senator and he is a minister. She, however, assured the people they would not be working at cross purposes.
The senator further pointed out that the minister is new to the nation’s capital and therefore, needed to be guided to discharge his duties as the FCT Minister.
She said: “You must remember that the minister and I have different goals. I was elected by the people, so, I’m answerable to you the people of the FCT, he is not. But working together, I hope we can merge our interests.
“I cannot force myself on the minister. You have to remember that and the senate is in recess. I am a lawmaker. I have not been around. So, they are not approving anything, you cannot get approval from a house that is not sitting.
“Yesterday night, the election tribunal affirmed my election as duly elected senator of the federal capital territory. I feel a great sense of relief that I can now start facing the work the people of the FCT elected me to do. First, I would like to thank the best legal team, the best lawyers anybody could have. I’m really blessed to have had them
“I have been engrossed in my case and the minister is new. We have not met. We spoke for the first time today (Tuesday) when he called to congratulate me and we assured each other that we would work together.”
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Speaking on threats of demolitions in the FCT, Senator Kingibe said, “For one thing, I’m not telling you that there would not be demolitions. There are many problems within the FCT. Look at the flooding taking place in FCT, why? Houses are being built on flood channels, permissions are being given to people to build estates on flood plains. There are so many things that we need to fix.”
Citing the building on the green areas and water ways, using the Trademore estate as an example, the senator said such would not be allowed to continue, but added that the welfare and interest of the people in the FCT would be protected.
Kingibe also notes that Abuja indigenes were aware of the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) that the FCT cannot enjoy a special status, but added, that since that is the case, she will be pushing for the status of a state for Abuja.
“After the matter has been disposed of at the Supreme Court and if the same position is maintained, then we will agitate for a governor, three senators and other status of a state, but for now, let the matter remain as it is,” Kingibe added.