BY YAHAYA KANA ISMAILA
In recent weeks, the public discourse surrounding Ireti Kingibe, the senator representing the federal capital territory (FCT) in Nigerian senate has taken a troubling turn. Her vocal complaints about being sidelined by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike have not only raised eyebrows but have also sparked considerable criticism and concern among political circles and the general public alike.
Mrs. Ireti Kingibe’s grievances, aired prominently on national television during an interview with Arise TV, were met with stern rebuke from none other than the Senate President himself. This public dressing down signifies not just a rebuke of her individual actions but also a broader indictment of her conduct as a representative and a public figure.
The above did not come as a surprise to some of us because, whereas Ireti may have rode on the Peter Obi wave to the senate, her loud silence since she crash landed on the floor of the senate have shown that she’s not only incompetent, but also showed how ill-prepared she was for the job. No wonder she appears to be allowing frustration to get the best of her.
Mrs. Kingibe’s assertion that her constituents are dissatisfied with the FCT Minister’s supposed neglect of the FCT is not only a blatant lie, but also death knell on her nascent political career. A close scrutiny of her claims would reveal a different narrative—one that suggests ulterior motives behind her outbursts.
Speculations have arisen that Mrs. Kingibe’s grievances may be driven by expectations of personal gain or favor, possibly linked to solicitations or attempts to secure undue influence within the corridors of power. But, Wike being Wike must have rebuffed her hence this desperation. Indeed, this would explain why a senator of the federal republic of Nigeria will find no platform for airing her grievance but on national television.
Such behavior not only undermines the trust placed in her as an elected official, accidental or not, but also detracts from the genuine issues facing the constituency she purports to represent. Instead of focusing on substantive matters that affect the lives of her constituents, Mrs. Kingibe’s actions appear to have reduced her role to that of a self-serving opportunist rather than a dedicated public servant.
Because, let’s face it. Senator Ireti as a member of the senate representing the FCT must be a member of the Senate committee on FCT charged with oversight functions of the programmes and activities of the FCT under Wike. It is therefore, very shocking that she could not hold Wike to account for the grievance of her constituents in that forum but chose a national television to wage her one-man oversight duties on the FCT minister.
Notwithstanding , Wike’s somewhat undemocratic retorts following her unguarded diarrhea of the mouth, the outcry against Mrs. Kingibe’s conduct underscores a broader frustration with the state of Nigerian politics, where personal ambition and pursuit of private gain often overshadow the responsibilities of office. At a time when effective governance and public trust are paramount, and in the context of an FCT shining through minister Wike’s transformation of the nation’s capital, such displays of incompetence and self-interest only serves to erode confidence in the leadership system.
It is incumbent upon political leaders and representatives like Mrs. Kingibe to uphold the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and service to the public expected of senators of our dear nation. Anything less not only falls short of these expectations but also threatens the very fabric of democratic governance upon which Nigeria is built.
Without a shadow of a doubt, Nyesom Wike – sometimes filibustering, sometimes controversial, other times eccentric, has been the best FCT minister since Nasir El-rufai. Whereas his predecessors have played the ostrich while serving as glorified errand boys to the presidents, Wike has even now, left an indelible mark on Abuja. The records are out there for Ireti or anyone who cares to listen to verify. So, if Ireti feels that Wike is neglecting some sectors in his development drive, an experienced and competent representative would look for ways of collaborating with, rather than face-off against the FCT minister.
Others who have wondered why Ireti has not complimented Wike’s efforts by attracting the projects lacking from the FCT minister’s programmes to her constituency from the very generous senate where she works appear to be making sense all a sudden. This is the risk of making unguarded, uncoordinated statements that are clearly not supported by facts.
As discussions continue to swirl around Mrs. Kingibe’s recent actions, let it be known that it is a clear show of incompetence for a senator of the federal republic who works in the place where Wike must visit to have his spending plan approved to turn around and claim marginalization.
People like Ireti must be constantly reminded that transparency, ethical conduct, and a steadfast commitment to the welfare of the people must always take precedence over personal agendas and baseless claims. Until then, the saga of Mrs. Kingibe serves as a cautionary tale—a handbook of sorts—not on effective leadership, but rather on the pitfalls of incompetence and self-serving behavior in public office.
Yahaya writes from Kana, in Nasarawa state