The Digest:
Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has accused Minister Nyesom Wike of running the nation's capital in an "autocratic manner," insisting he believes "governance is about what he alone thinks and what he alone wants." Speaking on Channels Television's Politics Today, Kingibe lamented that her repeated attempts to engage the minister on issues affecting FCT residents had yielded no positive response, despite formal letters expressing willingness to collaborate. She claimed Wike also refuses to work with FCT Development Authority officials and the mandate secretaries. Kingibe specifically faulted Wike's 22-hour curfew (8 pm Friday to 6 pm Saturday) for the FCT council elections, describing it as "excessive," "draconian," and unnecessary. "Even when there was a protest, they didn't put in a 22-hour curfew, not to talk of just a local government election in a capital where embassies all are," she said.
Key Points:
- Kingibe's criticism highlights tensions between the elected senator and appointed minister.
- It raises questions about collaboration in FCT governance despite constitutional separation.
- Residents may suffer from governance paralysis, while Wike's style faces scrutiny.
- This signals the challenge of governing a territory without elected local leadership.
- The timing, during elections, amplifies concerns about overreach.
Sources: Vanguard, Channels Television
