Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike told Senator Ireti Kingibe on Tuesday that she will not return to the Senate in 2027, while defending the FCT Administration’s borrowing for infrastructure projects. The comments were made during a press briefing following an inspection in Abuja.
Wike, who heads the FCT Ministry, said the administration’s borrowing was necessary to fund critical infrastructure works across the capital territory. He emphasized that the loans were being used to improve roads, drainage and other public amenities, and that the projects were aligned with the government’s development agenda.
The minister’s remarks came as Kingibe, the elected senator representing the FCT, has faced criticism over alleged loan claims. Wike dismissed those claims, stating that they were unfounded and that the senator’s performance would be judged by voters in the next election cycle.
Infrastructure financing has been a recurring theme in the FCT’s budgetary planning, with the administration regularly seeking external funding to accelerate development. The borrowing strategy, according to Wike, is aimed at closing gaps in service delivery and supporting the capital’s rapid growth.
By asserting that Kingibe will not secure a Senate seat in 2027, Wike signaled a lack of confidence in the incumbent’s electoral prospects. The statement adds a political dimension to ongoing discussions about the FCT’s development priorities and the performance of its elected representatives.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>