FCT Abuja – Nyesom Wike, the coordinating minister for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has received a warning from Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the FCT, not to overstep his bounds without seeking approval from the national legislature.
According to reports, Kingibe requested that the National Assembly carry out the legislative duties for the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in a similar way to how the House Assembly carries out these duties for the state government.
She also criticized the nomination of mandate secretaries who reside outside of the FCT, citing a recent private conversation she had with one of them in which she discovered to her dismay that the mandate secretary had no idea of the location of Kwali, one of the FCT’s area councils.
Wike, according to Kingibe, was unfamiliar with the FCT and needed direction in order to carry out his responsibilities as the FCT Minister.
Sen. Kingibe focused on her friendship with Wike and remarked, “Remember, the minister and I have different objectives. I am accountable to you, the people of the FCT, whereas he is not since I was chosen by you. But if we work together, I think our interests will converge.
I am unable to impose myself on the minister. The Senate is on break, so keep that in mind. I am a legislator. My presence has been absent. A house that is not in session cannot approve anything, hence they are not doing so.
The election tribunal confirmed my election as a senator for the federal capital territory last night. I am incredibly relieved that I can finally begin the work for which the people of the FCT elected me. I want to start by expressing my gratitude to the best legal team and attorneys there are. I feel very fortunate to have had them.
“I have been completely preoccupied with my case, and the minister is a newcomer. Our paths have not yet crossed. When he called to congratulate me on my achievement today (Tuesday), it was the first time we had spoken, and during that conversation, we gave each other our word that we would collaborate.
Senator Kingibe made the following statement in response to concerns about the potential for demolitions in the FCT: “For one thing, I’m not telling you that there will not be demolitions. Within the framework of the FCT, there are a multitude of issues. Take a look at the flooding that is taking place in the FCT; why is this happening? On flood plains and flood channels, people are getting authorization to build estates, and houses are being constructed on flood channels themselves. We have a lot of work to do, as there are a lot of problems.”
She cited the building on the green areas and water ways as an example, using the Trademore estate as an illustration. She said that such would not be permitted to continue, but she added that the welfare and interest of the people in the FCT would be maintained.
The ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) cannot have a special status was something that she and the other natives of the FCT were well aware of.
“After the question has been resolved by the Supreme Court and if the same position is maintained, then we will agitate for a governor, three senators, and other status of a state, but for now, let the problem remain as it is.”
