Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has called out the senator representing FCT Ireti Kingibe, stating that he does not wish to be her friend.
The duo has not enjoyed a good relationship since assuming offices.
In September 2023, Kingibe said Wike does not have the executive powers to make threats of demolition of “illegal buildings” in the territory.
In January, the lawmaker claimed that Wike refused to respond to her letters and messages in the wake of rising insecurity in Abuja.
Wike said at a media parley on Thursday that Kingibe is not happy with him because he is friends with her political foe and predecessor Philip Aduda.
“Somebody wants to be your friend. I said I don’t want to be your friend. Is it by force? The problem is that she wanted to be chairman, Senate committee on FCT but the Senate President said ‘I’m not giving you,'” Wike said.
When journalists pointed out the lawmaker’s apparent interest in FCT affairs, Wike responded, “What? Are you going to supervise me? You cannot supervise me.”
Nobody can challenge us in 2027 — Wike
The minister said he has always invited the chairpersons of the FCT committee in the Senate and House of Representatives to witness the flag-off of projects in the nation’s capital.
He added, “Nobody can intimidate me. I was a minister before, I became a governor of one of the most important states in Nigeria and now I am a minister of FCT.
“You’re saying the minister does not carry me along. I don’t have the back. People don’t know how to go about things. It is not by intimidation.
“The problem is this — she ran an election against my friend Philip Aduda. And then she sees Philip Aduda everywhere with me. She said I am taking Philip everywhere instead of her who is the senator.
“Will I abandon my friend because he failed election? People are so petty. It doesn’t make sense.”
