ABUJA — Senator Ireti Kingibe has stirred debate over the performance of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, saying that former minister Nasir El-Rufai outperformed him during his tenure.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm on Tuesday, the senator representing the FCT argued that while Wike’s infrastructural projects have gained public attention, they do not directly impact the daily lives of average Abuja residents.
“To be a successful FCT minister is not just about infrastructure,” Kingibe said. “If you ask any FCT person who has been the minister who has performed the most, they will tell you El-Rufai. He built roads and also responded to the needs of the people.”
She criticised Wike for being disconnected from the grassroots, citing a lack of basic services such as security and water in areas affected by recent relocations. “The place you have moved the abattoir to, there’s no infrastructure. They cannot go there. There’s no security, there’s no water,” she said.
Kingibe stressed that successful leadership in the FCT requires attentiveness to local needs and community-level engagement. She maintained that El-Rufai stood out because he combined infrastructure with responsiveness.
Responding to the senator’s remarks, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to Minister Wike, dismissed Kingibe’s comments as politically motivated.
In a strongly worded statement issued Tuesday, Olayinka accused the senator of neglecting her responsibilities. He claimed that many of her legislative aides had reportedly quit due to months of unpaid salaries and entitlements.
“Wike is focused on delivering results for the FCT and won’t be distracted by political shenanigans,” Olayinka stated.
The exchange highlights growing political tensions between federal lawmakers and the FCT administration, as debates continue over the real impact of infrastructure projects on residents’ quality of life.
