The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a blistering attack on Senator Ireti Kingibe, declaring that she has failed her constituents and faces certain defeat in the forthcoming election.
Speaking on Tuesday during an inspection of flood-affected areas in Maitama, Abuja, Wike rejected the senator’s calls for closer collaboration with the FCT Administration, insisting that Kingibe had squandered her legislative mandate.
“I was not appointed to work with only one particular person. I work with everybody,” Wike said, responding to questions about Kingibe’s request for greater cooperation.
The minister challenged the senator to present evidence of legislative achievements, demanding to know which bills she had sponsored to address flooding and other challenges confronting the capital’s residents.
“If she knows there’s a problem, she’s the one who makes the law. Why should she every time say ‘working with her, working with her, working with her?'” Wike queried.
He accused Kingibe of prioritising media appearances over legislative duties, adding: “Go and talk to the people! Tell them what you are doing in the National Assembly. Tell them the bill you have proposed for the benefit of the residents of Abuja.”
The minister suggested that the senator’s recent criticisms were politically motivated, claiming she was scrambling to regain public support ahead of the polls.
“I don’t blame her now, because she has almost lost the election. All she’s doing is to see whether she can get the people,” Wike stated.
“You have done nothing, and the people know you have done nothing. Even if you like, criticise. As far as this flooding is concerned, the people have made up their mind that you failed.”
Demolition Orders and Flood Response
Wike ordered the immediate demolition of structures obstructing designated water channels during the inspection, warning that enforcement would proceed regardless of property owners’ political affiliations.
The minister also refuted claims that the FCT Administration had allocated waterways to politicians for estate development, challenging accusers to produce documented evidence.
“If anybody has one, come out with it to prove to Nigerians, ‘This is a water channel way, and it has been allocated to Mr Z, and approved for Mr Z to build something,'” Wike said.
“Not just to go and make a blanket statement, ‘Anything now, allocated to politicians.’ Who are the politicians? Do they have no name?”
He described flooding as a longstanding issue, citing recurrent incidents in Lokogoma and Yakubu Gowon Crescent as examples of problems predating his administration.
Call for Constructive Criticism
Wike urged Nigerians to offer constructive observations rather than what he termed politically motivated attacks, emphasising that his administration valued genuine input from residents and stakeholders.
“We appreciate those who have made valuable comments, positive comments—that is the essence of governance, calling attention,” he said.
The minister warned against portraying the enforcement exercise as politically targeted, adding: “If you are my political opponent, did I say you should go and block the water channel? I didn’t tell you to go and block the water channel.”
He reiterated that the FCT Administration would maintain its enforcement of planning regulations, insisting that political considerations would not influence government actions.
