Wike also said it was disheartening that instead of collaborating with the FCT Administration, Kingibe was instead angry that residents are praising him
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has vowed to ensure that the senator representing the FCT, Ireti Kingibe does not return to the senate in 2027.
He issued the threat during the flag-off of the construction of the Mabushi Bus Terminal in Abuja, while reacting to an earlier claim by the senator that FCT residents were not impressed with his performance.
The former Rivers State Governor said it was disheartening that instead of collaborating with the FCT Administration, Kingibe was instead angry that residents are praising him.
He challenged her to contest in 2027, insisting that she would fail woefully because the scenario that brought her to power in the last election won’t repeat itself.
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Speaking at the flag-off ceremony,
Wike said, “I overheard somebody on Arise TV, unfortunately, a member of the National Assembly. With all due respect, what you don’t know, you don’t know, and what you know, you know. It is good to admit when you don’t know something so that people can educate you.
“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 Mr. President has appointed us, we have done well.
“You said there were no hospitals. As a legislator, what have you done? How many bills have you sponsored to improve our education and health sectors? I challenge that legislator: if you are very popular, come and run in Abuja in 2027. We will fail you. Do you think what happened last time will happen again? It will not. Luckily for me, I am the FCT minister now, so that is my territory, and I am not afraid.”
Apparently referring to Kingibe’s comment during her interview, the minister added, “We are not begging anyone to become our friend. We have so many friends we cannot even carry along.”
Wike and Senator Kingibe, who was elected on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), have not been on good terms since they assumed office.