Senator Ireti Kingibe has stated that the upcoming area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will serve as a public verdict on the performance of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Speaking during an interview on Political Paradigm, a Channels Television programme, the FCT senator claimed that many Abuja residents are unhappy with Wike’s leadership, criticizing his governance style as disconnected from the people’s needs.
“Local government elections are coming early next year. That is when the people of the FCT show ministers, ‘we like you or we do not like you.
“The local government election is going to tell whether Wike controls FCT, because nobody does”, she said.
Kingibe said Wike is out of touch with the needs of residents and has not responded adequately to their concerns, particularly on issues of security and infrastructure.
“Most of Abuja is pitch dark. So I go there, put solar lights in between the places, and light up the place so that young people will at least be safer. They will come give me awards, commend me for looking out for them. It’s not that he wouldn’t have done it too, except he doesn’t know what they need”, she stated.
She explained that communities often reach out to her directly to raise security concerns, and she responds by installing solar lights in public spaces to improve safety.
“I know Karu market is pitch dark. I put lights there. Communities will write to me: ‘There’s so much insecurity around this place. A few lights will make a difference.’ I put it.
“Solar lights are cheap, but how many can I put? For where I can put one, the minister can put a thousand. Do you see the difference?”, she added.
Responding to Wike’s recent statement that she would not return to the Senate in 2027, Kingibe said she was not desperate for reelection but remained confident in her chances if she chose to contest.
“You know, I was not interested in running, you want to bet? I know for certain that when I decide to run, it’s a shoo-in,” she said.
Kingibe said residents of the FCT are independent-minded and increasingly united in their resentment towards Wike’s approach.
“It’s only people who have lived here for a long time who know that the people of the FCT have their independent mind.
“You walk on the streets, and you will know that the one thing that unites us all in the FCT is our resentment of the minister. It’s not just about development. It’s about treating us with levity, treating us with disregard and contempt”, Kingibe submitted.
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