Ignore Senator Ireti Kingibe – Akpabio Tells Wike

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to disregard criticisms from FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe. 

Akpabio made these remarks on Tuesday, July 2, during the inauguration of the significant Kugbo Bus Terminal construction in the FCT, a project aimed at revolutionizing the city’s transportation system.

Akpabio praised Wike for his efforts to enhance the capital’s infrastructure and advised him to ignore Kingibe’s complaints about being excluded from FCT administration activities.

Senator Kingibe, a Labour Party (LP) member, defeated Philip Aduda, an ally of Wike, in the 2023 election to become the senator representing the FCT. Wike, formerly the governor of Rivers State, was appointed FCT minister in August of the same year. Since his appointment, tensions between Wike and Kingibe have persisted.

On Monday, July 1, Kingibe expressed her dissatisfaction on a television program, alleging that Wike was sidelining her in the administration of the FCT. In response, Wike, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain working within the All Progressives Congress (APC) cabinet, threatened to unseat Kingibe in the next election.

During the event to flag off Kugbo Bus Terminal project, the Senate President criticized Kingibe and reaffirmed his support for Wike. 

Akpabio said; 

“I saw one of the legislators on television talking about you (Wike) and mentioning the fact that she was not carried along.

“Well, she is a member of the Senate. Once a decision is taken, she is bound by the decision. So, please ignore every distraction (from her) and rest assured that no matter what you do, not everyone will praise you. Others will still try to find faults. Some will say why roads alone? But look at where we are now.”