Ireti Kingibe Alleges Wike Took FCT Loans Without Senate Approval
Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, has accused Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister, of obtaining loans for the nation’s capital without seeking or securing approval from the National Assembly.
Kingibe made the allegation during an appearance on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm, where she questioned the process through which some of the FCT’s borrowings were allegedly obtained.
The senator said she had raised concerns with the Senate leadership, insisting that she had never seen Wike appear before the Senate to seek approval for any borrowing.
“I have never seen Wike come to the national assembly and before the senate to ask for approval of anything,” Kingibe said.
According to her, FCT budgets are normally presented to the Senate through the appropriate committee before being considered and approved by the upper chamber.
She, however, alleged that the same legislative process was not followed in respect of loans obtained for the FCT under Wike.
“I am definitely saying he has been taking loans without the approval of the national assembly. I don’t know about the house, but certainly not the senate,” she stated.
Kingibe said her concerns emerged after she reviewed information from the Debt Management Office (DMO) relating to borrowings between August 2023 and March 2026.
The senator challenged anyone disputing her claim to produce the Senate’s official Votes and Proceedings showing that Wike appeared before the National Assembly to obtain approval for the loans.
“If anybody contradicts me, they should bring the Votes and Proceedings of the day that Wike came to the national assembly to ask for approval for anything,” she said.
Kingibe Questions Wike’s Constitutional Powers
The FCT senator also drew a comparison between Wike’s powers and those of President Bola Tinubu, arguing that if the President is required to approach the National Assembly for approval on loans and appointments, the FCT minister should not exercise greater borrowing powers without legislative scrutiny.
Kingibe noted that Wike derives his authority from the President and questioned how the minister could possess powers exceeding those of the Commander-in-Chief.
The allegation is likely to intensify the already heated political disagreement between Kingibe and the FCT administration, particularly over the management of the capital territory and the implementation of its budget.
However, the claims regarding specific FCT borrowings and whether they required National Assembly approval remain matters requiring clarification from the FCT Administration, the National Assembly and relevant debt-management authorities.
Wike has yet to publicly respond to Kingibe’s latest allegation.
Headlineswave will continue to follow the controversy and publish updates as the FCT Administration, National Assembly or other relevant authorities respond.
