“Abuja Will Re-Elect Me in a Landslide”—Senator Ireti Kingibe Declares, Slams FCT Minister Wike’s Influence
Senator Ireti Kingibe, the lawmaker representing Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has confidently declared her intent to seek re-election in 2027, expressing unwavering belief that Abuja residents will overwhelmingly return her to the Senate, despite political friction with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm, Senator Kingibe — Chair of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs — responded to previous claims by Wike that she would not return to the Red Chamber. The Labour Party senator dismissed the remarks, calling them baseless and out of touch with the sentiments of Abuja’s electorate.
“If I run, I know I will win — with a landslide bigger than the last. I won with one of the highest vote margins in 2023. And it wasn’t just about Obi — I brought my own votes too,” she said.
Kingibe vs. Wike: A Battle for Abuja’s Political Soul
Kingibe’s comments reignite her long-standing rivalry with Minister Nyesom Wike, who was appointed FCT Minister by President Bola Tinubu in August 2023. While Kingibe is a Labour Party senator, Wike, originally of the PDP, works with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
She alleged that the minister has alienated the FCT population through arrogance and a governance style marked by “disdain and contempt.”
“People who live in Abuja know one thing that unites us — our resentment of the minister,” she asserted.
“The local government elections will prove whether Wike truly controls the FCT. He doesn’t.”
“I Brought Votes for Obi Too”
Senator Kingibe took a moment to clarify her political strength during the last general election, subtly pushing back against assumptions that her 2023 victory was solely due to the popularity of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
“Yes, he brought some votes, but I brought votes he would not normally get. That’s a fact,” she emphasized.
Senator Ireti Kingibe,
photo credit: Senator Ireti Kingibe,
Political Fallout and Tinubu’s Cabinet
She also criticized Wike’s appointment, arguing that his combative style and alleged disregard for FCT residents have created a negative image for President Tinubu’s administration.
“Wike has given the President a bad image here. He should never have been appointed FCT Minister,” Kingibe added.
Their feud, ongoing since mid-2023, highlights deep divisions within Nigeria’s current political landscape, where cross-party alliances and defections blur traditional loyalties, especially as the country heads toward the 2027 general elections.
What This Means for 2027
With political tensions rising in the capital, Kingibe’s bold re-election claim signals a growing confidence among Labour Party stakeholders. Meanwhile, Wike’s next moves — including local council elections and infrastructure projects — could either win back public favor or deepen the discontent Kingibe referenced.
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