By Kemi Yesufu
The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Ireti Kingibe has given reasons for the spike in abductions in the nation’s capital.
The lawmaker during a recent appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today, said the FCT minister Mr. Nyesom Wike, does not have good knowledge of the capital city, even as he doesn’t collaborate with members of the National Assembly representing the FCT.
The Labour Party swept the presidential and National Assembly elections in 2023 despite the APC winning the presidential election nationwide.
Kingibe said she has resorted to taking the problem of insecurity in the FCT to the highest levels of government.
She said: “I even took it up at the highest echelon of Government because I know that these things are really happening. I have lived in the FCT since 1988 and I can see how insecure it’s become but there are certain issues we need to address.
“Part of the problem I must say is that there is a big disconnect between the Minister of the FCT and elected officials. I will be specific, the House of Reps member and myself.
“The truth of the matter is that the Minister is new to the territory. We are the ones that have historical knowledge of the whole area and it is imperative we work together. If we don’t work together, that’s what exactly is happening”.
When asked if the Minister of the FCT consults with representative elected by the people, the senator revealed that she has been snubbed by Wike at different times.
Sen. Kingibe said: “I have never met the Minister until he came for appropriation. I have reached out to him several times. The Minister for some reason thinks Senator Aduda (ex-Senator of the FCT) is still the Senator, unfortunately that’s not the case. I have written him one or two letters, I have WhatsApp messages sent to him, and I didn’t get a response.
“I am only a Senator but it is the job of Wike, the FCT minister, but as far as he’s concerned, they’re no elected reps of the FCT. That’s the issue. But we’ll invite him when NASS resumes to tell us his plans for protecting the FCT. Whether or not he responds is a different matter entirely”.
The lawmaker however thanked security agencies for putting their best, adding they should start being proactive and responsive. She also decried the number of police personnel posted for VIP protection.
“I thank the Security Agencies for doing something when we started to scream but the truth is that a little bit earlier I tried to draw their attention and I was told that it was exaggerated.
“On the root cause of the worsening state of insecurity in the FCT, Senator Ireti said” I would say without exaggerating that maybe a quarter of the Police Force are guarding VIP, which is not their primary function.”
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