Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the National Assembly, has taken a strong swipe at Minister Nyesom Wike, accusing him of failing to address the real needs of Abuja residents since assuming office.
In a candid interview with Channels Television, Kingibe acknowledged that while Wike is undertaking several road construction projects, the majority of the FCT population does not benefit from them.
“Yes, he’s building roads, but we don’t have public transport. So the bulk of Abuja residents do not benefit from the roads,” she stated.
The senator raised concerns about the minister’s priorities, questioning the focus on projects such as the International Conference Centre (ICC) when pressing issues like rising insecurity and unpaid salaries at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) remain unresolved.
She also condemned Wike’s controversial decision to terminate the contracts of female street sweepers — a move she said lacked both consultation and compassion.
“The women who were sweeping the streets, they have done so through several ministers. Their situation was always protected because they were indigent women, widows,” Kingibe explained.
“The current minister came without consultation with anybody. He, in fact, not without consultation — in spite of imploration, he fired them all. He has not replaced them with anything.”
Kingibe didn’t mince words, accusing the minister of making life more difficult for FCT residents, rather than improving their conditions.
“So we, FCT, have had a minister who most FCT residents will say, came to what made life as difficult as possible,” she concluded.
The remarks have sparked renewed debate about Wike’s tenure as FCT Minister and whether his administration’s priorities align with the daily realities of Abuja’s population.
