Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has criticised Senator Ireti Kingibe over her public comments on the administration of the FCT, accusing the lawmaker of focusing on media appearances instead of legislative action.
Wike spoke in Abuja on Tuesday while addressing issues surrounding governance and recent flooding in the nation’s capital.
He said he was appointed to serve all residents of the FCT and not to work exclusively with the senator.
“That is the problem. She acts as if she is the sole lawmaker and as if the National Assembly is her private legislature,” he said.
Wike accused Kingibe of seeking media attention ahead of the next election, urging her to engage directly with her constituents and account for her legislative record.
“Instead of seeking media attention, she should go directly to the people and account for her stewardship,” he said.
The minister argued that effective representation required lawmakers to raise issues affecting their constituents on the floor of the National Assembly and sponsor relevant legislation.
“As a legislator representing the people, you must advocate for their interests on the floor of the House and sponsor bills that directly improve their survival and welfare,” he said.
Wike particularly criticised the senator’s public interventions during emergencies, saying lawmakers should not wait for crises before engaging government institutions.
“You do not wait for a crisis to occur only to run to television stations, dressed in unfamiliar traditional attire just to curry public favour,” he said.
He maintained that legislative representation should involve continuous consultation with constituents and engagement with relevant government agencies.
“If a lawmaker truly identifies the problems affecting their constituents, the proper approach is to table those issues before Parliament, engage in continuous dialogue with the electorate, and return to legislative business,” Wike said.
He further claimed that residents of the FCT were already aware of Kingibe’s performance and would not be swayed by her television appearances.
“The reality is that she has done nothing, and the people are fully aware of it. No amount of criticism or media appearances on Channels TV or Arise TV will change the minds of the electorate,” he said.
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