SENATOR Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Senate, has fired back at FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, saying no individual can intimidate her into silence or determine whether she returns to the Senate in 2027.
News Point Nigeria reports that Kingibe said no individual had the authority to decide her political future, insisting that the people of the FCT would determine who represents them in the Senate at the 2027 election.
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Kingibe’s response followed Wike’s declaration that she would not return to the red chamber, with the minister saying FCT residents had chosen to support former senator Philip Aduda for the senatorial seat.
Wike made the remarks on Tuesday while inspecting ongoing road projects in the FCT, after Kingibe accused the administration of obtaining loans without the approval of the National Assembly. The minister dismissed the allegation, saying her comments showed a lack of understanding of the process of securing government loans. He also said she had “nothing to offer” the people of the FCT.
But responding in a post on X on Thursday, Kingibe said she would not be intimidated by what she described as insults, threats or political pressure. She said her responsibility was to ask questions, demand accountability and uphold constitutional principles.
“If I raise questions about public borrowing, public funds, or the conduct of government, it is not an act of disrespect; it is part of my duty as a legislator,” she said.
Kingibe also challenged Wike to produce the Senate’s Votes and Proceedings showing that the loans she questioned had received the required approval.
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“As for not getting approval for the loans, I dare the FCT minister to show the people of the FCT, and all who have asked, the Votes and Proceedings of the day the approval was given,” she said.
“I cannot speak for the House of Representatives but I know that it was never brought before the Senate.”
Kingibe said no public official was above scrutiny, regardless of their position.
“No minister, no matter how powerful, is above the law. No public office holder is above scrutiny,” she said.
She also said no individual could, by personal declaration, determine who the people of the FCT would elect in 2027, stressing that the decision belonged solely to the electorate.
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Kingibe further criticised what she described as attempts to intimidate, silence or demean women in government, saying women who choose to serve in public office should not be expected to remain silent simply because they ask difficult questions or refuse to compromise their principles.
She said she would not be distracted by personal attacks and would continue to speak whenever the interest of the FCT demanded it, scrutinise matters requiring scrutiny and stand firmly for the people she represents.
