FCT Minister Wike and the Senator representing the FCT, Ireti Kingibe, continued their political bickering yesterday.

Their disagreements centre on who would or would not win the only seat for the FCT next January 16 and FCT Administration alleged borrowings.

Senator Kingibe had accused the FCTA of securing loans without the National Assembly’s nod, but Wike denied the claim last week, accusing the lawmaker of non-performance and being an ‘illiterate.’

The minister had also said Kingibe would not return to the Senate in 2027, asserting that FCT borrowings are captured in budgets that are subject to legislative approval.

Yesterday, the minister, who was on another round of inspection, took on Senator Kingibe once again for accusing him of trying to intimidate her and alter her political fate,

He dismissed the claims with disdain, saying the female Senator was not being intimidated by anyone, but by her own continuous non-performance and failure in representing FCT residents.

“Nobody is intimidating her. Rather, she has intimidated herself by not performing. It is her non-performance that is causing her intimidation,” Wi

He queried the lawmaker’s scorecard and challenged her to point to tangible legislative intervention or community consultations since she became a Senator in 2023.

The minister said: “I speak for Abuja people, and I know they want good representation. You need someone in the Parliament to speak for the people and let the government know their problems.

“How many times has she gone to the satellite towns to consult with the residents or traditional rulers? How many times has she spoken on the floor of the Senate to highlight the problems facing FCT? How many times has she come up with bills to address Abuja’s challenges?”

But Kingibe insisted yesterday that no request for approval of loans was presented before the Senate by the minister. She challenged Wike to show proof of any such approval

“As for not getting approval for the loans, I dare the FCT Minister to show the people of the FCT, and all who have asked, the votes and proceedings of the day the approval was given.

“I cannot speak for the House of Representatives, but I know that it was never brought before the Senate,” she said.

The Senator maintained that questioning government borrowings, public funds and the conduct of public officials is part of her constitutional responsibility and should not be interpreted as disrespect or a personal attack.

“I have never been one to be intimidated by insults, threats, or political pressure, and I will not start now,” she said.

“My responsibility as a Senator representing the people of the Federal Capital Territory is to ask questions, demand accountability, and defend the constitutional principles upon which our democracy stands.”

Kingibe said she would continue to scrutinise matters concerning the FCT despite the escalating political confrontation with Wike.

“If I raise questions about public borrowing, public funds, or the conduct of government, it is not an act of disrespect; it is part of my duty as a legislator,” she said.

On Wike’s assertion that her political fate in 2027 had already been determined, Kingibe said: “No minister, no matter how powerful, is above the law.

‘’No public office holder is above scrutiny. And no individual has the authority to decide by personal declaration who the people of the FCT will elect in 2027. That decision belongs solely to the people.

“I will not be distracted by personal attacks. I will continue to speak when the interest of the FCT demands it, scrutinise matters that require scrutiny, and stand firmly for the people I represent.” (The Nation)