Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to recent attacks by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, saying she will not be intimidated by insults, threats or political pressure.
Kingibe said her duty as a senator is to ask questions, demand accountability and protect the constitutional principles of Nigeria’s democracy.
She made the statement in a post on her verified X account on Thursday.
Her reaction followed comments by Wike, who reportedly described the senator as illiterate and repeated his claim that she would not return to the Senate after the 2027 election.
The disagreement between the two politicians started after Kingibe accused Wike of obtaining a loan for the FCT without the approval of the Senate.
The senator challenged the minister to provide evidence showing that the National Assembly approved the loan.
Kingibe said asking questions about public borrowing, government funds and the actions of public officials was part of her responsibility as a legislator.
She said, “I have never been one to be intimidated by insults, threats or political pressure, and I will not start now.”
She also challenged Wike to present the Votes and Proceedings of the National Assembly showing when the Senate approved the loan.
According to her, the matter was never brought before the Senate for approval.
Kingibe added that President Bola Tinubu had always sought Senate approval for loans and argued that no minister or public office holder was above the law.
She also rejected Wike’s statement about her political future, saying the decision on who represents the people of the FCT in 2027 belongs to the electorate.
The senator further criticised what she described as attempts to intimidate or silence women in public office.
She said women in government should be allowed to ask difficult questions and stand by their principles without being subjected to personal attacks.
Kingibe said she would remain focused on issues affecting the FCT and continue to scrutinise government actions.
She added that she did not enter public service to be intimidated but to serve the people, stressing that the people of the FCT would decide their choice at the 2027 election.
