Group Appeals to Senator Kingibe to Cooperate, Not Confront, FCT Minister Wike

ABUJA, Nigeria – In light of Senator Ireti Kingibe’s increasingly confrontational rhetoric concerning Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the civil group known as the Movement for the Advancement of National Transformation (MANTRA) has intervened, urging the senator to adopt a more collaborative approach.

In a statement released on Saturday, September 16, 2023, Jude Ndukwe, the Convener of MANTRA, and Sani Gafar, the group’s Publicity Secretary, implored Kingibe to work alongside Wike to realize the grand vision for Abuja.

“The senator’s recent comments portray her as unnecessarily combative,” the statement read. “We were surprised by such remarks and wish to emphasize that such outbursts are unwarranted, unhelpful, and regressive.”

Wike was recently appointed as the FCT Minister, a role that comes with full executive powers as a member of the Federal Executive Council. The group clarified that contrary to Senator Kingibe’s assertions, mandate secretaries do not require Senate screening, a process she had questioned.

“It is not accurate to claim that Wike, as the FCT minister, lacks executive powers,” the statement continued. “What he needs is the support of all stakeholders and citizens to build the FCT of our dreams.”

MANTRA’s statement also underscored the rapid progress achieved under Wike’s short tenure, contrasting it with the slow pace of appointments during the term of the immediate past FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello. They argue that Wike’s swift actions signify a leader eager to collaborate, an approach that should be celebrated, not criticized.

“We urge Senator Ireti Kingibe to refrain from inciting conflict where there is none,” the group stated. “While the immediate past FCT minister, Mohammed Bello, took an entire year after his appointment to inaugurate mandate secretaries, Wike did so within a few weeks. This gesture demonstrates a willingness to work with others rather than operate in isolation.”

The statement also called out Kingibe for her criticism of a newly-appointed mandate secretary’s lack of geographical knowledge, pointing out that such knowledge is not a prerequisite for the role.

“The fact that a newly appointed mandate secretary of the FCT was not familiar with a specific location is as relevant as Senator Kingibe not knowing that the appointment of such secretaries does not require Senate screening,” the statement argued.

MANTRA’s message is a plea for unity and collaboration among political stakeholders to achieve the ambitious goals set for Abuja and the FCT. “We strongly implore the senator to change her confrontational approach to administrative issues and cease fanning the flames of division,” it concluded.

With this public appeal, the group aims to promote a cooperative relationship between Senator Kingibe and Minister Wike, emphasizing that unity, not discord, is the path to realizing the vision for the FCT. Whether Kingibe heeds this call remains to be seen, but the plea adds urgency to the ongoing debate over governance and the future of the country’s capital.

The full statement is provided below:

“We were surprised by Senator Ireti Kingibe’s remarks regarding Wike’s performance as FCT minister and want to emphasize that such outbursts are unwarranted, unhelpful, and regressive.

“While we respect the senator’s concerns for the FCT, it is essential to set the record straight for posterity’s sake. “It is inaccurate to claim that Wike, as the FCT minister, lacks executive powers, as stated by Senator Kingibe. As a member of the Federal Executive Council, Wike possesses full executive powers to administer the FCT according to the President’s vision. This applies to all ministers, and Wike is no exception.

“It is also incorrect to assert that mandate secretaries appointed and inaugurated for the FCT must undergo Senate screening. Advocating for such screening demonstrates a lack of understanding of government processes. “The appointment of mandate secretaries falls within the purview of the Executive and was established by an Executive Order issued by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2004 after the dissolution of the Ministry of FCT.

The Executive Order, ‘Establishment of Functions and Departments and Ministry of Federal Capital Territory (Dissolution) Order No 1, 2004 as modified,’ grants the President the authority to appoint and inaugurate mandate secretaries as recommended by the FCT minister, without the need for Senate screening or any similar process.

“In the history of the FCT, such appointments have never been a subject of controversy between a minister and the Senate. We urge Senator Ireti Kingibe to refrain from provoking unnecessary conflicts. “While the immediate past FCT minister, Mohammed Bello, took an entire year after his appointment to inaugurate mandate secretaries for the FCT, and even longer during his second term, Wike initiated the process within just a few weeks of his appointment. This gesture demonstrates a willingness to collaborate with others rather than acting in isolation.

“We were also taken aback by Kingibe’s accusation that one of the secretaries she interacted with lacked knowledge of a specific location in the FCT. Just like commissioners in states, mandate secretaries do not need to have complete geographic knowledge to qualify for their positions. It is akin to saying that the President must know every location in Nigeria before assuming office, which is not a requirement. What is essential is for such appointees to familiarize themselves with the responsibilities of the office in alignment with the appointing authority’s vision.

“We strongly urge the senator to take advantage of Wike’s gesture in congratulating her on her victory at the National and State Houses of Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal, a display of solidarity by the minister.

We implore her to change her confrontational approach to administrative issues and refrain from sowing divisive sentiments that could hinder or reverse the significant progress made by Wike, who has demonstrated substantial capacity and determination to improve our FCT. “What Wike needs is the support of all stakeholders and citizens to build the FCT of our dreams.”