Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the National Assembly, has accused FCT Minister Nyesom Wike of securing loans for the territory without obtaining the approval of the National Assembly.
Kingibe made the allegation during an interview with Channels Television’s Political Paradigm programme on Tuesday, while discussing the administration of the FCT, the Abuja Master Plan and the oversight responsibilities of the National Assembly over the territory’s affairs.
The senator said records from the Debt Management Office (DMO) showed a substantial increase in the FCT’s domestic debt since Wike assumed office as minister in August 2023.
She questioned how the reported borrowing could have taken place without the minister appearing before the Senate to seek legislative approval, stressing that the National Assembly had an oversight responsibility over the FCT Administration.
“I am definitely saying Wike has been taking loans without the approval of the National Assembly,” Kingibe said.
She added: “I’m sorry to say, with all due respect to the Senate, of which I’m a member, we’re supposed to oversee him.
“We’re supposed to approve, and I have brought to the attention of the leadership of the Senate that the FCT is borrowing money.
“I have never seen Wike come to the National Assembly, come before the Senate, to ask for approval for anything. He comes before the FCT Committee, and that’s the only time it ever sat.”
FCT Debt Rises Sharply
Kingibe’s allegation comes amid a significant increase in the FCT’s domestic debt under the current administration.
A review of DMO figures cited in the discussion showed that the FCT’s domestic debt stood at N88.51 billion in September 2023, shortly after Wike assumed office.
By March 2026, the figure had risen to N389.88 billion, representing an increase of N301.37 billion, or approximately 340.5 per cent, in about two and a half years.
The increase has consequently moved the FCT from among the least indebted sub-national governments in the country to the second-highest domestic debtor.
The figures, however, indicate that the rise in the territory’s debt did not occur at a uniform rate throughout the period.
The FCT’s domestic debt increased marginally from N88.51 billion in September 2023 to N94.01 billion in March 2024, before declining to N53.43 billion by September 2024.
The debt subsequently began to rise again, reaching N78.93 billion in September 2025 before climbing sharply to N188.86 billion by December 2025.
Another substantial increase was recorded in the first quarter of 2026, when the figure rose to N389.88 billion.
This means that the FCT added approximately N201 billion to its domestic debt between December 2025 and March 2026 alone.
FCT Received N432.13bn in FAAC Allocations
The debt increase occurred during a period in which the FCT also received substantial allocations from the Federation Account.
Available FAAC figures indicate that the territory received approximately N432.13 billion between August 2023 and March 2026.
The allocations, however, do not represent the FCT Administration’s entire revenue during the period, as they exclude internally generated revenue and other sources of receipts.
Kingibe’s comments have therefore raised questions about the financing of major infrastructure projects in the territory and the extent to which the National Assembly has been involved in decisions concerning the FCT’s borrowing.
Dispute Over Abuja Flooding
The latest disagreement between Kingibe and Wike comes against the backdrop of an earlier dispute over flooding in Abuja.
On August 18, following severe flooding in parts of the capital after heavy rainfall, Kingibe said she had previously raised concerns about blocked drainage channels, developments around green areas and construction on flood plains.
She maintained that her interventions were motivated by concerns over the safety and welfare of FCT residents rather than by political differences with the minister.
“From the beginning, I’ve always said there has been no reason for there to be political conflict on my part. I’m used to an Abuja where senators and ministers don’t necessarily come from the same party but have worked together in the interest of the people,” she said.
Kingibe further alleged that some developments approved under the current FCT Administration had contributed to the worsening flood situation, arguing that construction and other activities had affected parts of Abuja’s drainage infrastructure and natural waterways.
She said she had engaged relevant government agencies on the matter and sought information about measures being taken to address the problem.
Wike Hits Back at Senator
Wike responded on August 19, accusing Kingibe of relying excessively on television appearances rather than using the National Assembly to address issues affecting her constituents.
The minister said he was not appointed to work with only one politician and maintained that his responsibility was to work with stakeholders across the territory.
“That is the problem. She acts as if she is the sole lawmaker and as if the National Assembly is her private legislature. People ask me, ‘Why aren’t you working with her all the time?’ But I was not appointed to work with just one individual; I work with everyone,” Wike said.
He also challenged Kingibe to account for her performance as a senator and explain her achievements to the people of the FCT.
“Don’t blame her for her comments; she is simply desperate because she has virtually lost the upcoming election,” Wike said.
Rather than seeking media attention, the minister urged the senator to engage directly with her constituents and account for her stewardship in the National Assembly.
He also challenged her to identify bills she had sponsored and other legislative initiatives she had undertaken for the benefit of FCT residents.
Wike further accused Kingibe of failing to adequately engage residents of the territory’s satellite communities.
The exchange between the senator and the minister has consequently deepened the public debate over the administration of the FCT, particularly concerning infrastructure financing, legislative oversight, urban planning, environmental management and accountability in the nation’s capital.
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