FCT Abuja – Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has cautioned Nyesom Wike, the FCT’s coordinating minister, against going beyond his authority without consulting the national legislature.
Kingibe reportedly insisted that the National Assembly would perform the legislative duties for the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in a manner similar to how the House Assembly does these tasks for the state government.
She went on to criticize the appointment of members of the mandate secretaries outside the FCT, adding that just recently she had a private conversation with one of these mandate secretaries, and to her dismay, the mandate secretary did not know where Kwali, one of the area councils of the FCT, was located. She went on to criticize the appointment of members of the mandate secretaries outside the FCT.
Kingibe stated that Wike was new to the FCT and that as a result, he need direction in order to carry out his responsibilities as the FCT Minister.
Senator Kingibe, speaking about her relationship with Minister Wike, told her constituents, “You must remember that the minister and I have different goals.” I am answerable to you, the people of the FCT, whereas he is not, since I was elected by the people of the FCT. But if we work together, I believe we will be able to combine our areas of interest.
“I am unable to impose my will on the minister in any way. You have to keep that in mind, because the senate is currently taking a break. I am a member of Congress. I sincerely apologize for my absence. Therefore, they are not authorizing anything, and you cannot receive approval from a house that is not sitting since it is impossible.
“Yesterday night, the election tribunal validated my election as the lawfully elected senator of the Federal Capital Territory,” she said. It is with a great sense of relief that I can finally begin the task that the people of the FCT elected me to perform. To begin, I would want to express my gratitude to the best legal team, which included the best lawyers that anyone could have. I count it as a great blessing that I was able to have them.
“I have been completely absorbed in my case, and the minister is a newcomer. We are not familiar with one another. When he called to congratulate me today (Tuesday), it was the first time we had ever spoken, and we promised each other that we would collaborate in the future.
In response to concerns raised about the possibility of demolitions taking place in the FCT, Senator Kingibe stated, “For one thing, I’m not assuring you that there would not be demolitions. Within the framework of the FCT, there are a great deal of issues. Take a look at the flooding that’s taking place in the FCT; what’s causing it? People are being granted permission to build estates on flood plains, and houses are being constructed on top of flood channels. There are a great number of issues that call for our attention and attention.”
She cited the building on the green areas and water ways as an example, using the Trademore estate as an illustration. She said that such would not be permitted to continue, but she added that the welfare and interest of the people living in the FCT would be maintained.
She and the people who are indigenous to the FCT were aware of the decision of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC), which said that the FCT is not eligible for a special status.
“After the question has been decided by the Supreme Court and if the same situation is maintained, then we will agitate for a governor, three senators, and other status of a state, but for now, let the problem remain as it is.”
