The lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the upper chamber of Nigeria’s bicameral legislature, Ireti Kingibe, has slammed the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, describing him as a minister with an emperor mentality whose projects do not benefit the bulk of FCT residents.

While speaking as a guest on Channels TV on Tuesday, the senator noted that the bulk of Abuja residents do not live in the central business district of the FCT, such as Maitama or Asokoro, but reside in other parts of Abuja where very little development is taking place.

“Wike is entrusted to bring development because he represents the president, who is the de facto governor of FCT. He is building roads, but we don’t have public transport, so the bulk of Abuja residents don’t benefit from the roads.

“He is building things like the ICC. How does that concern the bulk of Abuja residents when there is so much insecurity?” the senator questioned.

Kingibe also spoke about her role as FCT senator and how she has toned down her public criticism of Wike in recent times to bring development to the constituents she represents.

According to her, this move has not yielded positive results because the FCT minister has an emperor mentality who does not recognise elected senators.

Kingibe also described Wike as a minister whom most FCT residents say came to work against them and has made life as difficult as possible for them.

Citing instances, she noted that Wike paid the salaries of FCTA staff in his first year as minister, but the staff are now being owed. She also mentioned the street sweepers in the FCT whom Wike sacked and has yet to replace.

“The FCTA workers are not paid, the women who were sweeping the streets were always protected because they are indigent women and widows. It was our way of ensuring they got paid.

“When any minister comes along and wants to replace the sweet sweepers with trucks, we talk to him and say we need them to do this, so he leaves it. The current minister came despite imploring him, he fired them all and has not replaced them with anything,” Kingibe added.

In June 2024, the FCT senator said she was not willing to become friends with the FCT minister. During Tuesday’s interview, she expressed optimism that she would win the 2027 election despite Wike’s opposition.