FCT Residents Will Use Council Election To Reject Wike’s Leadership — Senator Kingibe

Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has declared that Abuja residents will express their displeasure with Minister Nyesom Wike’s leadership through the forthcoming local government elections.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, Senator Kingibe criticised the minister’s approach, stating that Wike is disconnected from the pressing needs of the FCT populace.

“Wike does not understand the needs of the people and is failing to address them. The truth is, the people of the FCT resent him. They are not pleased with his attitude and lack of responsiveness,” she stated.

According to Kingibe, the upcoming council polls will serve as a referendum on Wike’s stewardship of the capital territory. “During the elections, the people will show him who truly owns the FCT,” she added.

Her comments come against the backdrop of persistent infrastructure deficits across several Abuja communities, as documented by SaharaReporters. One such area is Chetta community in Gaube Ward, Kuje Area Council, where residents are exposed to serious health risks due to the lack of clean water.

With their only stream having dried up during the dry season, locals now rely on contaminated water from a site taken over by illegal gold miners—posing a significant threat of waterborne diseases.

Monitng, a civic technology platform that recently assessed the situation, raised concern over the severe public health implications. “Children go to school without bathing, nursing mothers cannot adequately care for their infants, and women face serious difficulties during menstruation,” the platform reported.

The absence of access to clean water has led to a surge in water-related illnesses, endangering the lives of residents. Despite repeated assurances from successive administrations, Chetta and many other marginalised communities in the FCT continue to suffer due to the persistent failure to provide basic amenities such as potable water.

Senator Kingibe’s remarks reflect growing discontent within the FCT and may signal a shift in public sentiment ahead of the local government elections.