Kingibe accuses Wike of taking FCT loans without NASS approval

Ireti Kingibe, senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has alleged that Nyesom Wike obtained loans without securing approval from the national assembly.

The senator made the allegation during an appearance on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm, saying she had previously expressed concerns to the senate leadership about the FCT minister’s borrowings.

“I have never seen Wike come to the national assembly and before the senate to ask for approval of anything,” she said.

Kingibe explained that FCT budgets are typically submitted to the senate through the appropriate committee for consideration before receiving approval from the upper chamber.

She alleged, however, that Wike had not approached the legislature to obtain approval for loans secured for the nation’s capital.

“I am definitely saying he has been taking loans without the approval of the national assembly. I don’t know about the house, but certainly not the senate,” she said.

According to Kingibe, she discovered the borrowings after examining data from the Debt Management Office (DMO) on loans taken between August 2023 and March 2026.

She called on anyone who disagrees with her position to show evidence that Wike appeared before the national assembly to obtain approval for the loans.

“If anybody contradicts me, they should bring the Votes and Proceedings of the day that Wike came to the national assembly to ask for approval for anything,” she said.

Kingibe further argued that President Bola Tinubu, who appointed Wike and from whom he derives his authority, submits loan and appointment requests to the national assembly. She added that Wike’s powers could not be greater than those of the commander-in-chief.