Wike Vows Senator Ireti Kingibe Will Not Return to Senate in 2027, Cites Lack of Visible Projects: video

FCT  Minister Nyesom Wike has doubled down on his long-standing prediction that Senator Ireti Kingibe will fail to secure re-election to the Senate in 2027, pointing to what he describes as her poor performance and absence of tangible development projects during her tenure.

Speaking at a media parley in Abuja on Monday, March 2, 2026, Wike reiterated a claim he first made over a year ago, insisting the senator representing the FCT has little to show for her time in office. “I had said it more than one year ago, Senator Ireti, you won’t come back as a senator,” he declared. “That’s why you people don’t like people who tell you the truth. It’s bitter. Let her show one project.

The minister emphasized that voters in the FCT particularly in satellite towns and communities where turnout is often high will judge her record based on results rather than party affiliation or rhetoric. “She is not there. Go to the satellite towns where the real voters are. She is not there,” Wike added, suggesting Kingibe has been largely absent from grassroots engagement.

Kingibe, who won her seat in the 2023 general elections on the Labour Party platform, has since defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Her relationship with Wike has been marked by public friction, including disputes over governance in the FCT, accusations of disregard for her role as the territory's senator, and criticisms of administrative decisions such as curfews and restrictions during recent local government polls.

Wike dismissed suggestions that political differences could be bridged through dialogue, claiming he has no personal contact details for the senator and rejecting assertions that she had attempted to reach him. He framed his stance as a straightforward assessment of performance, arguing that effective representation demands visible impact, especially in areas like infrastructure and community development.

The comments have reignited debate over the balance of power between elected representatives and appointed officials in the FCT. Some observers and online commentators have accused Wike of overstepping, questioning whether a minister should publicly predict or influence electoral outcomes. Others have echoed his critique, noting that Kingibe's visibility and project delivery have been limited compared to expectations for the role.

Kingibe has not issued an immediate direct response to Monday's remarks, though past exchanges suggest she views Wike's interventions as interference in legislative duties and an attempt to undermine her mandate. Supporters of the senator argue that her work focuses on oversight, advocacy, and policy contributions rather than executive-style project execution, which falls more under the minister's purview.

Wike, a former Rivers State governor known for his blunt style and strong political influence, also used the session to reaffirm his support for President Bola Tinubu and defend recent FCT administrative actions, including poll-related measures. He tied his confidence in Kingibe's defeat to broader grassroots mobilization and voter priorities in the territory.

Whether Wike's bold prediction holds will ultimately depend on voter sentiment, party dynamics, and campaign efforts in the FCT.

The development has drawn mixed reactions on social media, with some praising Wike's candor and others warning against perceived intimidation of elected officials, the minister stands firm, framing his words as a call for accountability rather than personal vendetta.

Video credit: tvc news