The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has hit back at Senator Ireti Kingibe over her recent criticism, saying she should focus on addressing issues around her own conduct and treatment of legislative aides.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, said Wike will not allow himself to be used to revive what he described as Senator Kingibe’s dying political career.
He said, “It is funny that Senator Ireti Kingibe, who treats her personal aides like slaves and refuses to pay them their wages, is the one talking about someone treating others with disregard.”
Senator Kingibe had earlier accused Wike of being out of touch with the needs of FCT residents.
She stated in a televised interview that “it’s not just about development, Wike’s conduct is fuelling resentment among the people.”
Reacting to this, Olayinka said many of Senator Kingibe’s legislative aides had resigned due to non-payment of salaries and alleged immoral behavior.
“As at today, we know how many of Senator Ireti Kingibe’s aides have resigned because of unpaid salaries and immoral acts. One of her aides even resigned over an alleged immoral relationship involving her boyfriend,” he claimed.
He went further to question her integrity and demanded explanations regarding alleged misuse of funds.
“Senator Kingibe should tell the people of FCT what she did with the envelope of N3 billion she received last year. She should also explain how many constituency project contracts she sold for between 15 to 20 percent of their value,” Olayinka alleged.
He added that Wike would remain focused on delivering infrastructure projects across the FCT, saying 16 projects were recently commissioned to mark President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office.
“The Minister will not be distracted by someone like Senator Ireti Kingibe, who has no other credible identity to present herself with, except the name of someone she is no longer married to,” the statement added.
“The Minister is focused on building roads and other projects in both the main city and nearby towns. Last Friday, 16 projects were completed and opened to mark President Tinubu’s second year in office. More projects are expected to be ready by next year,” the statement added.
