Wike Goes After Kingibe: Questions Her Reading Skills In Fiery Remark

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, fired back at FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe over her criticism of his restriction of movement in Abuja.

Wike, in a special broadcast on Thursday, declared Friday a work-free day in the nation’s capital to prepare for the council elections. He subsequently imposed a restriction on human and vehicular movement in the FCT from 8 p.m. on Friday to 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Responding through a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Matilda Duncan, Kingibe described the Minister’s directive as a direct affront to democratic governance and the constitutional rights of residents.

She said:

“The people of the FCT are not subjects under a dictatorship. They are citizens of a democratic republic. Any sweeping restriction on their movement and livelihoods must be justified by compelling evidence, subjected to scrutiny, and carried out with transparency.”

While acknowledging the importance of maintaining law and order, Kingibe stressed that security concerns cannot be used as a blanket justification for “executive overreach.”

Speaking with journalists on Saturday while monitoring the FCT Area Council elections, Wike responded sharply, saying that as a Senator, Kingibe should be able to read. He clarified that he did not impose the restriction unilaterally but acted with the approval of President Bola Tinubu.

He stated:

“It is unfortunate. I thought as a Senator she should be able to read. I never imposed a curfew on my own. I did it with the approval of Mr. President.

I don’t want to engage in back-and-forth arguments. At the end of the election, when the results are out, then we will know who is who.”