Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the National Assembly, says she has made deliberate efforts to tone down her public criticism of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in the hope of working with him in the interest of residents, but the approach has yielded little result.
Kingibe, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said she had chosen a less confrontational approach to give the minister an opportunity to work with her on issues affecting the people of the FCT.
“I have tried to be less publicly critical of Wike to see if he’ll work with me in the interest of the constituents, but nothing works,” she said.
The senator said her primary responsibility was to represent the interests of the people who elected her, stressing that residents frequently turn to her when they encounter problems.
“The people voted for me and the House of Representatives members, and when they have issues, they scream for me first,” Kingibe said.
Her comments underline the continuing tension between the senator and the FCT administration over issues concerning governance, development and the welfare of residents.
Kingibe has previously criticised aspects of the administration’s policies in the capital, while Wike has defended his administration’s record and approach to the development of the FCT.
The senator’s latest remarks suggest that, despite her attempt to pursue a more conciliatory relationship with the minister, disagreements over how the interests of FCT residents should be addressed remain unresolved.
