Nyesom Wike says Ireti Kingibe will not return to the Senate in 2027, dismissing her FCT loan claims and backing Philip Aduda
Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, said on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, that Senator Ireti Kingibe would not retain the FCT seat at the 2027 general election.
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Wike spoke to reporters while inspecting road works in the capital.
The remarks followed Kingibe’s claim that the FCT Administration had taken loans without approval.
Wike said every loan went through due process and received National Assembly assent.
He was blunt about the senator. “She is an illiterate, with all due respect, and that is why she is not going back to the Senate. She has nothing to offer to the people of the FCT. There is no way you can go and take a loan without the approval of the National Assembly,” Wike said. “Anytime you take a loan, you will include it in the budget that this aspect of this budget, the government is going to collect loan.”
Wike said he would not dwell on Kingibe’s remarks. Residents, he argued, had already chosen to support President Bola Tinubu and the minister’s preferred candidate for the FCT senatorial seat, Philip Aduda.
“I don’t want to comment about her. When the time is right, let her pack her bags out. The people have made their choice by agreeing to support President Tinubu, and then will support Philip Aduda for Senate. So, let us not waste our time reacting to inferiors who failed in all ramifications. I don’t want to react to it, I am above that,” he said.
The exchange continues a public quarrel over FCT borrowing, budget oversight and who speaks for Abuja voters before 2027.
Kingibe has used the Senate platform to question Wike’s financing of capital projects.
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Wike has answered by pointing to the National Assembly’s role in loan approval and by treating the 2027 ticket as already settled in Aduda’s favour.
