Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, has accused FCT Minister Nyesom Wike of obtaining loans for the nation’s capital without the approval of the National Assembly.
Kingibe made the allegation during an appearance on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm, where she discussed the administration of the FCT and the oversight responsibilities of the legislature.
The senator said she had raised concerns about the FCT’s borrowing with the leadership of the Senate, insisting that she had not seen Wike appear before the Senate to seek approval for the loans.
“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,” Kingibe said.
She said she reached the conclusion after reviewing records from the Debt Management Office (DMO) covering borrowings between August 2023 and March 2026.
According to Kingibe, FCT budgets are presented to the Senate through the relevant committee for consideration before approval. However, she alleged that the same process had not been followed in respect of loans obtained for the territory.
The senator challenged anyone disputing her claim to produce the official parliamentary records showing that the FCT minister appeared before the National Assembly to seek approval for the borrowing.
“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 also criticised the Senate’s oversight of the FCT administration, saying Wike had appeared before the Senate’s FCT Committee but, according to her, had not appeared before the full chamber to seek approval for the loans.
The allegation comes amid a significant increase in the FCT’s recorded domestic debt. Reports citing DMO data put the territory’s domestic debt at N88.51 billion as of September 2023, compared with N389.88 billion by March 2026.
Kingibe further argued that Wike’s powers as FCT minister could not exceed those of President Bola Tinubu, from whom he derives his authority. She noted that the President submits requests for loans and other matters requiring legislative approval to the National Assembly.
The senator’s allegation has raised fresh questions about the borrowing and financial oversight of the FCT administration.
However, the claims remain allegations, and no response from Wike or the FCT Administration disputing or confirming the specific borrowing claims was included in the reports reviewed.
