Senator Ireti Kingibe, the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory says the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike is aloof and cold towards her. She said the minister won’t pick or return her calls after trying to get in touch with him to discuss the issues affecting her constituency.
She said despite Wike being the first southerner to become the minister of FCT, there is a break down of communication between him and elected representatives of the Territory.
Whist speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Sunday, January 21, 2024, she stressed the need for the FCT minister to collaborate with her and other elected officials representing the people of the FCT in the National Assembly on security and other matters.
“I must say part of the problem we are having, is there’s a big disconnect between the minister of the FCT and the elected officials. I’ll be specific The House of Reps member and myself. The truth of the matter is that the Minister is new to the territory. We are the ones who have historical knowledge of the whole area, and it is imperative that we work together.”
Kingibe said she has made several attempts to speak to Wike but the minister won’t return her calls or respond to her messages.
The lawmaker, who is currently in London, however, promised to bombard the FCT minister with letters when she returns to the country.
She noted that because she’s the highest elected official in the FCT, she is the one people bring their complaints, even though Wike is the one in charge of the security of the FCT.
She said, “I‘ve never met the minister except when he came for appropriation. I have reached out to him several times. The Minister for some reason thinks Senator Philip Aduda is still the senator of the FCT. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
“So since I have I was prepared that when I go back this time, I’m going to bombard the minister with letters since obviously, just talking to him on the phone and sending messages, I have WhatsApp messages, everything I’ve sent to him averaging one or two letters. I don’t get the response. I am the highest elected official in the FCT accountable to the people.”
She said it gladdens her heart to know that security agencies in the FCT are properly funded and have the tools to work with but refused to admit that insecurity and kidnapping is rampant.
