The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that Senator Ireti Kingibe will not be re-elected to the Senate in 2027, citing a lack of visible projects to justify her return.
Kingibe, who represents the FCT in the National Assembly after winning in 2023 on the Labour Party platform, has since defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking during a media parley in Abuja on Monday, March 2, 2026, Wike reiterated his earlier prediction, tying it to what he described as her failure to deliver tangible development.
“I had said it more than one year ago, Senator Ireti, you won’t come back as a senator. That’s why you people don’t like people who tell you the truth. It’s bitter. Let her show one project,” Wike stated.
He also claimed the senator has not been sufficiently present in satellite communities, which he noted often record high voter turnout during elections.
The political tension between Wike and Kingibe has persisted, particularly over governance and development issues in the FCT.
Kingibe recently accused the minister of being uncooperative in efforts to deliver projects for residents, claiming she received no positive response despite writing to him.
During the recent FCT area council elections on February 21, opposition parties criticised Wike’s visits to polling units.
Wike defended his movements, stating that as the territory’s chief security officer he has the right to monitor polling areas.
“I have the rights, I am the governor of 3,000 polling units. For security, I have to find out what is going on. I don’t have to be told, I am not a candidate for the election,” he said.
“Somebody has said I move about. How many polling units in FCT? FCT has not less than 3,000 polling units. Assuming I went to 10 polling units to check what was going on, how will it affect 3,000 polling units?”
“As a candidate, I cannot move around. I must have my agents. As the Chief Security Officer. I have a right to have a view of what is going on and how does it affect, influence the election?”
Wike argued that the opposition’s poor preparation contributed to their performance in the polls, adding that the All Progressives Congress (APC) results reflected the effectiveness of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
