Senator Ireti Kingibe has responded to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike after the two disagreed over an FCT loan and the 2027 election.
Senator Ireti Kingibe of the Federal Capital Territory has hit back at FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, saying she will not be scared by insults, threats or political pressure.
In a post on social media on Thursday, Senator Kingibe said her job as a senator for the FCT people is to ask hard questions, demand answers and protect the rules that Nigeria’s democracy is built on.
Her response came after Wike insulted her and repeated his threat that she would not be elected to the Senate in 2027.
Their fight started when the senator said on television that Wike got a loan for the FCT without the Senate approving it.
She challenged Wike to show the people of the FCT proof that the National Assembly approved the loan.
Senator Kingibe said she has never been someone to fear insults, threats or political pressure and will not start now.
Her job as a senator for the FCT is to ask questions, demand answers and defend the rules that democracy is based on.
If she raises questions about public borrowing, public money or how government acts, it is not disrespect but part of her work as a lawmaker.
On the loan approval, she said she challenges the FCT Minister to show the people of the FCT and those who asked for the official records of the day approval was given.
She cannot speak for the House but knows it was never brought before the Senate.
The President, from whom the Minister gets his power, has always asked the Senate to approve loans.
No minister, no matter how strong, is above the law. No public official is above being looked at.
No individual can decide who the FCT will elect in 2027.
That choice belongs to the people alone.
She said attempts to scare, quiet or put down women in government are totally wrong.
Women who choose to work for the public must not be forced to stay silent just because they ask hard questions or refuse to give up what they believe in.
She said she will not be stopped by personal attacks.
She will keep speaking when the FCT needs it, look at things that need looking at and stand strong for the people she serves.
She did not enter public service to be frightened.
She entered it to help.
The choice of the FCT people on election day will win.