By Akinwale Kasali
The war of words between Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike and Senator Ireti Kingibe representing FCT Senatorial District at the National Assembly has taken a new twist.
The Minister, who has never hidden the fact that he holds Kingibe in contempt has now, categorically said that Kingibe would never return to the Senate in 2027. He, also, called her Illiterate.
Wike spoke to Journalists on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 after inspecting ongoing road projects in Abuja.
He was apparently responding to Kingibe’s recent allegation that the FCT Administration had obtained loans without the required approval of the National Assembly.
Dismissing the allegation, Wike insisted that Government borrowing for infrastructure projects are usually captured in the budget and subjected to the appropriate legislative process.
He then launched a personal attack on the Senator and dismissed her as an “illiterate” who has nothing to offer FCT residents.
Wike: “She is an illiterate, with all due respect, and that is why she is not going back to the Senate. She has nothing to offer to the people of the FCT.
“There is no way you can go and take a loan without the approval of the National Assembly. Anyone [who] takes a loan, you will include it in the budget; this aspect of the budget, the government is going to collect loan,” Wike said.
Wike further said he would not spend time responding to Kingibe, while asserting that FCT residents have already made their choice ahead of the 2027 elections.
He also disclosed his support for former FCT Senator, Philip Aduda, in the contest for the senatorial seat.
Wike: “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,” he said.
The latest exchange follows Kingibe’s earlier criticism of the FCT Administration’s borrowing.
Recall that the Senator said in August that she had reviewed the Debt Management Office, DMO, records covering borrowings between August 2023 and March 2026 and questioned whether the required legislative approvals had been obtained.
Wike, however, argued that the focus should be on whether borrowed funds were being used for infrastructure development and in the interest of FCT residents.
“If my problem is that I took a loan, if I took a loan, I’m using it to work. I thought her concern would have been: are we applying the loan to work for the interest of residents?” he said.
The loan controversy has added to the longstanding disagreement between Wike and Kingibe over the administration and development of the FCT.
The two politicians have repeatedly clashed publicly, with Wike previously questioning Kingibe’s record as senator and Kingibe maintaining her position on issues concerning oversight of the FCT Administration.
The dispute is now unfolding again against the backdrop of preparations for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.
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