Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Senate, has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, as Minister of the FCT.
She described the decision as the president’s “greatest mistake” and one that has severely damaged his administration’s image and performance in the capital.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE Television, Kingibe said Wike’s appointment has worsened governance in the FCT and created widespread dissatisfaction among residents.
“If I were to list all the missteps of President Tinubu, the worst by far is the appointment of Minister Wike,” she said.
The senator accused Wike of autocratic leadership, claiming that he operates with blatant disregard for the rule of law.
According to her, Wike routinely circumvents legal and legislative processes, reinstating agencies without the necessary legal backing and refusing to consult the National Assembly.
“Governance is rooted in the rule of law, but Minister Wike refuses to abide by that. He’s reinstating agencies without enabling laws and believes he can act unchecked,” she said.
Citing specific examples, Kingibe accused Wike of illegally revoking 7,000 out of 11,000 hectares of land previously allocated to the University of Abuja, a move she said violated the Land Use Act.
She also claimed he reallocated land meant for a general hospital in Bwari for private development.
The senator further alleged that Wike’s policies have caused job losses, particularly among vulnerable women previously employed as street sweepers.
“He fired all of them without replacing them with mechanical sweepers, leaving Abuja dirty and taking away a vital source of livelihood,” she said.
Kingibe also condemned Wike’s refusal to pay hundreds of small, indigenous contractors in Abuja who executed projects before his appointment. “He says he won’t pay because he didn’t award the jobs. That’s unacceptable,” she noted.
She expressed deep concern over Wike’s handling of public funds, accusing him of failing to account for revenue generated internally and through the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
“Apart from the budget, Wike has never come to the National Assembly to give account of what he’s doing with FCT funds,” she said.
Kingibe vowed to take legislative action, stating that she has collected documents and plans to challenge Wike’s actions formally. “I’ll be going to the appropriate oversight bodies with the documents. The president, from whom Wike derives his authority, must ensure compliance with the law,” she declared.
Despite the potential political backlash, Kingibe said she is not afraid of Wike or his supporters. “I’m not saying he should fear me, but he should know I’m watching, and I will not be silent,” she said.
She also mentioned a recent personal security scare, revealing that she was followed by an unknown black jeep after returning from an oversight trip to Sokoto. “But I’m not afraid. I’m a senator of the Federal Republic. It is God who protects,” she said.
Kingibe’s comments mark one of the most direct criticisms of the Tinubu administration’s decision to appoint Wike, underscoring the ongoing tension between elected FCT representatives and the minister’s controversial leadership style.
