Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Senate, has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu for appointing Nyesom Wike as the Minister of the FCT, calling it the president’s “greatest mistake.”
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Monday, Kingibe accused Wike of autocratic leadership, alleged disregard for constitutional processes, and claimed his tenure is eroding the quality of governance in the capital city.
“The primary thing is that the minister doesn’t obey the rule of law. He’s autocratic. He doesn’t follow any rules or laws,” she said.
Key Allegations by Senator Ireti Kingibe Against Minister Nyesom Wike:
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Disregard for Rule of Law:
Kingibe said Wike operates with impunity and refuses to acknowledge constitutional checks on his powers. -
Revival of Defunct Agencies:
She alleged that the minister has “brought back agencies without enabling laws,” bypassing the National Assembly’s approval. -
Land Revocation Scandal:
Kingibe accused Wike of illegally revoking 7,000 hectares out of the 11,000 hectares allocated to the University of Abuja, in violation of the Land Use Act. -
Job Losses Among Indigent Women:
She criticised the mass firing of street sweepers—mostly indigent women and widows—who were never replaced with mechanical alternatives, leading to increased unemployment and dirty streets.
Tinubu’s “Self-Inflicted Damage”
Senator Kingibe warned that President Tinubu’s decision to empower Wike politically is backfiring.
“If I were making a list of all the things that President Tinubu has done wrong, the greatest wrong he’s done to himself, the thing that has demarketed him the most, has been appointing Minister Wike,” she stated.
