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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that Senator Ireti Kingibe will not return to represent the FCT in the Senate, due to concerns about accountability and public service delivery.
Wike made this declaration during a media chat in Abuja on Monday.
“I have said it more than one year ago. Senator Ireti, you won’t come back as senator,” Wike said.
When asked if he still stood by the statement, Wike responded that the truth can be bitter.
Explaining his position, the minister said, “Let me tell you why. I will go to satellite towns and communities. Do you know her (Ireti)? Let her show one project; it is not that this Wike… I want him to be my friend, is it by force?
“I want us to collaborate. But collaborate on what? Nobody says you are not a senator; nobody says that i am not a minister. If I’m a minister , minister well; if you are a senator, make sure that you do well.”
In response to Kingibe’s comments regarding the most recent council elections, Wike said that elections are a process rather than a one-day event.
“It’s a process that starts from the nomination of candidates. It’s a process that goes through a campaign before it gets to an election. So election is not just that particular date of voting,” he said.
He likened the electoral process to preparing for an examination, noting that serious contenders plan ahead.
“You are going to school; you know the exam will come, and the exam will be in two or three months’ time. Nobody waits for the exam to come before they know that you are prepared for the exam. So it’s a process. You must attend classes. You must read to be prepared for the exam,” he said.
The minister added that those who fail to prepare often look for excuses.
“That is why you see students who are not prepared for exams; when they see an opportunity, they will search for a strike. They will call for a strike, so they are not allowed to write the exam.”
