By Muhammad Mamman
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reiterated his prediction that Senator Ireti Kingibe will not return to the National Assembly after her current tenure, declaring that he “still stands” by remarks he first made more than a year ago.
“I said it more than a year ago: Senator Ireti Kingibe won’t come back as senator of the FCT, and I still stand by it,” Wike said, in comments that have further heightened political tensions in the capital.
Kingibe currently represents the Federal Capital Territory in the Senate under the platform of the Labour Party, having secured a landmark victory in the 2023 general elections. Her win reshaped Abuja’s political landscape and disrupted the long-standing dominance of established political forces in the territory.
Wike’s latest remarks are widely seen as part of an intensifying political contest ahead of the next electoral cycle. Although the minister did not provide details to substantiate his assertion, his comments suggest growing manoeuvring within the FCT’s political space.
Political analysts say the statement underscores deepening rivalries and signals that the battle for the FCT Senate seat may become one of the most closely watched contests in the country.
Neither Kingibe nor her aides have publicly responded to the minister’s latest declaration.
As Nigeria’s political actors begin early positioning ahead of future elections, Wike’s comments add another layer of intrigue to the evolving dynamics in the nation’s capital.
