2027: Wike Says Ireti Kingibe Will Not Return to Senate

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the FCT, will not return to the Senate after the 2027 elections.

Wike made the statement on Tuesday, September 22, while responding to journalists during an inspection of ongoing road projects in the Federal Capital Territory.

His comments followed allegations by Kingibe that the FCT Administration had obtained loans for infrastructure projects without the required approval of the National Assembly.

Wike rejected the allegation, arguing that government borrowing for projects is incorporated into the budget and subjected to the legislative process.

He also criticised Kingibe personally, describing her as “illiterate” and saying she had nothing to offer residents of the FCT. Wike said he supported former FCT senator Philip Aduda for the Senate seat and claimed that residents had already made their political choice ahead of the 2027 elections.

“I don’t want to comment about her. When the time is right, let her pack her bags out, the people have made their choice by agreeing to support President Tinubu, and then will support Philip Aduda for Senate,” Wike said.

Kingibe had previously questioned the FCT Administration's borrowing after reviewing information from the Debt Management Office covering the period from August 2023 to March 2026. She said she had raised her concerns with the leadership of the Senate.

Wike maintained that the key issue should be whether borrowed funds were being used for projects that benefit FCT residents.

“If I took a loan, I am using it to work,” he said, arguing that attention should instead be focused on whether the funds were being applied to infrastructure projects.

The dispute has also drawn a response from the House of Representatives. Its Deputy Spokesman, Philip Agbese, previously said there was no evidence that Wike had breached the required procedures in financing FCT projects.

Beyond the loan controversy, Wike used the project inspection to highlight ongoing road construction across the territory, including work on the N1 road and routes connecting Tunga Madaki to Zuba and Kagini.

He said the projects would improve transportation and economic activity in communities across the FCT.

Wike also linked the infrastructure projects to the 2027 political season, saying residents would be able to assess the work being carried out by the administration.