The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, has accused the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, of obtaining loans for the nation’s capital without securing approval from the National Assembly.
Kingibe made the allegation during an interview on Channels Television, saying she had already raised the matter with the leadership of the Senate.
According to the senator, FCT budgets are normally presented to the Senate through the relevant committee for consideration before being passed by the chamber. She, however, alleged that the same procedure had not been followed regarding loans obtained by Wike on behalf of the FCT.
“I have never seen Wike come to the National Assembly and before the Senate to ask for approval of anything,” she said.
Kingibe stressed that her position was based on official records rather than speculation. She said she reviewed documents from the Debt Management Office (DMO) covering the period from August 2023 to March 2026 and found no evidence that Wike had sought or secured legislative approval for the loans.
“I am definitely saying he has been taking loans without the approval of the National Assembly. I don’t know about the House, but certainly not the Senate,” she said.
The senator challenged anyone disputing her claim to produce official parliamentary records showing that the FCT minister had appeared before the National Assembly to seek approval for the loans.
Kingibe also compared Wike’s actions with the approach of President Bola Tinubu, under whose authority the FCT minister operates.
She noted that the president routinely submits requests for loans and appointments to the National Assembly for consideration, arguing that the minister could not exercise powers greater than those of the president who appointed him.
The senator’s comments come amid continued scrutiny of the FCT administration’s financial activities and its relationship with the legislature. She maintained that there was no evidence that the required legislative process had been followed before the loans in question were obtained.
