FCT senator challenges Wike over alleged unapproved loans
Senator Ireti Kingibe has repeated her accusation that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike obtained loans without National Assembly approval and challenged him to produce the relevant records. Wike denies the allegation, while constitutional and fiscal rules place the FCT’s borrowing and appropriations under federal legislative oversight.
Senator Ireti Kingibe has accused Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike of obtaining loans without the National Assembly’s approval and challenged him to provide evidence that the borrowing was authorised. Kingibe, who represents the FCT and is a member of the African Democratic Congress, made the allegation in a statement issued on Thursday. She had previously raised the issue in August during an appearance on Channels Television.
Wike has denied the accusation. Speaking on Tuesday, he said borrowing could not take place without National Assembly approval and argued that Kingibe did not understand how government borrowing worked. He also said any loan would be included in the budget.
In response, Kingibe asked the minister to produce the Votes and Proceedings showing when the Senate approved the alleged loans. She said the matter had never been brought before the Senate, while acknowledging that she could not speak for the House of Representatives. Kingibe said no minister was above the law or scrutiny and rejected Wike’s claim that FCT residents had already chosen former senator Philip Aduda for the 2027 Senate election.
She said the decision belonged to voters and that she would continue scrutinising matters affecting the territory. The FCT has a distinct constitutional arrangement. Under Section 299 of the 1999 Constitution, it is treated as a state for constitutional purposes, but the National Assembly performs the legislative functions normally carried out by a state assembly.
Executive powers ordinarily exercised by a governor are vested in the President, who may delegate responsibilities to an FCT minister under Section 302. The Fiscal Responsibility Act requires borrowing governments and agencies to state the purpose of a loan, provide a cost-benefit analysis and obtain prior authorisation in an appropriation or other Act. Debt Management Office guidelines also require evidence of FCT Executive Committee and National Assembly approval for domestic borrowing.
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