The lawmaker who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Ireti Kingibe, has dismissed suggestions that the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, poses a threat to her political fortunes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Naijaonpoint reports that Kingibe made the remarks on Wednesday during an appearance on Politics Today, a political programme on Channels Television, where she emphasised that no individual controls electoral outcomes in the FCT.
The lawmaker argued that the voting pattern in the territory has historically been shaped by the independent decisions of its residents, not by the influence of any powerful political actor.
Downplaying the minister’s impact on the 2027 electoral landscape, Kingibe said Wike should focus on ongoing responsibilities — including local government elections, rather than attempting to shape federal contests.
She also suggested that the minister’s attention may be divided as the general elections draw nearer, noting that she does not believe the FCT will be his main priority in the coming months.
King said, “Now let’s talk about my seat. The truth of the matter is that from Obasanjo to now, hardly anybody controls how the people of the FCT vote. Minister Wike cannot make me win, nor can he make me lose, just like he cannot impose anybody on the FCT. FCT is not structured that way, so I’m absolutely not threatened by him.
“I moved to ADC because that’s where all of us who are intending to seek reelection into 2027 from the Labour Party decided to move to, even those who are seeking council elections from the Labour Party. Most of us asked them to go there.
“So you have to have a platform. And ADC is the vital alternative to the Labour Party if you’re in opposition. That’s what it is all about. It’s not about Minister Wike. Wike should first of all, let’s see what happens in the local government election before he talks about 2027. And I do believe that come 2027, I don’t think FCT will be his priority without other things to do, instead of worrying about who returns in the FCT or not.”