As tensions rise ahead of the upcoming local government elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Ireti Kingibe has issued a strong warning to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, stating that residents will make their voices heard at the polls.
In an interview on Channels Television on Monday, July 8, 2025, Senator Ireti Kingibe criticized the minister for what she described as a disconnect between Wike’s leadership and the actual needs of Abuja’s people.
“The truth is that the people of the FCT resent Wike,” Kingibe said. “They are not happy with his attitude and his failure to meet their needs.”
She further emphasized that the upcoming council elections would serve as a referendum on Wike’s performance as minister, warning that “the people will show him who owns the FCT.”
A recent report spotlighted the dire situation in Chetta community, located in Gaube Ward, Kuje Area Council. With their only stream dried up during the dry season, locals now rely on a water source contaminated by illegal gold mining activities—posing serious health risks.
Civic tech platform Monitng raised the alarm after a visit to the area, revealing heartbreaking details:
“Children go to school without bathing. Nursing mothers struggle to care for their babies. Women lack basic sanitary support during menstruation,” the report noted.
The result? A sharp rise in waterborne diseases, with no meaningful intervention from either current or past administrations.
While Wike’s tenure as FCT Minister has seen some high-profile urban renewal efforts, critics argue that the focus on aesthetics has come at the expense of essential services for underserved areas.
