FCT Minister Nyesom Wike Criticizes Senator Ireti Kingibe, Predicts Loss of Public Support

 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has sharply criticized Senator Ireti Kingibe, predicting that she will lose public support in the next election.

Senator Kingibe had criticized the Wike-led administration during a television appearance, distancing herself from the minister. In response, at the flag-off ceremony of the Mabushi Bus Terminal in Abuja on July 1, Minister Wike expressed disappointment with Kingibe's remarks. He noted that instead of seeking collaboration with the FCT Administration, Kingibe seemed more focused on garnering praise for President Bola Tinubu's administration.

Wike stated:

“I overheard somebody on Arise TV this morning. Unfortunately, I hear the person is a member of the National Assembly, and it is unfortunate I say so. With all due respect, what you don’t know, you don’t know. The good thing for you is to tell people you don’t know, then people will educate you.

“The Honourable Minister of State and I have not been in office for more than 11 months, and the person is angry that they are praising us. If you don’t want or you are angry about that, go and hang yourself on a transformer. If we have done well, we have done well. If we haven’t done well, we haven’t done well. I am proud to say that in the short time that Mr. President has appointed us, we have done well.

“You said there are no hospitals. You, as a legislator, what have you done? How many bills have you sponsored to improve our education and health sector?

“I challenge that legislator. If you are very popular, come and run in Abuja in 2027; we will defeat you. Do you think what happened last time will happen again? It will not. Luckily for me, I am the FCT Minister now. That is my territory, and I’m not afraid.

“People should be able to accept the truth. We are not begging for anyone to be our friend; we have so many friends that we cannot even accommodate. If you are angry that people are praising us, by next year your BP level will go very high because the praises will be too much.”