The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: Minister

  • Rainbow Coalition: Wike, Chinda Hold Talks With Fubara

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and some leaders of the Rainbow Coalition met with the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, at the latter’s private residence in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

    Also at the meeting were the state governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Kingsley Chinda and Senator Magnus Abe.

    Though the purpose of the meeting could not be immediately ascertained, it was the first time the FCT minister had visited the governor since the beginning of the political crisis that rocked the state and even after the feud between them was resolved.

    Recall that after peace returned to the state, a reconciliation committee headed by former Senator Magnus Abe had met with Fubara twice at the Government House on how to accommodate the governor’s supporters in the new political arrangement.

    Fubara himself had, during a public function in Port Harcourt, declared that he had returned to his political family.

    On the latest visit to the governor’s private residence, which Wike led, sources described the meeting as “strategic and part of the ongoing fence-mending by the minister ahead of the Rainbow Coalition’s campaign for the 2027 general elections.”

    A source who pleaded anonymity said, “It is also part of measures to cement the renewed peace in the state. You know the Senator Magnus Abe-led reconciliation committee has met with the governor twice.

    “Now, maybe it’s time for the FCT minister to visit the governor to show that peace has truly returned.”

    The coalition had yet to officially kick-start its campaign for the forthcoming poll.

    It was learnt that the meeting brought together core supporters of Fubara and Rainbow Coalition leaders in the state.

    They were said to have agreed to collaborate and strategise on how to work together for the common purpose of winning the next general elections in the state. Punch

  • Kingibe Fires Back At Wike: You Can’t Intimidate Me Into Silence

    Kingibe Fires Back At Wike: You Can’t Intimidate Me Into Silence

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Senator Ireti Kingibe has rejected comments by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that she will not return to the Senate after the 2027 elections.

    Kingibe, who represents the FCT in the Senate, said no individual politician could determine her political future, insisting that the people of the territory would decide who represents them.

    Wike had on Tuesday said Kingibe would not return to the Senate, while expressing support for former senator Philip Aduda for the FCT senatorial seat. He made the remarks while inspecting ongoing road projects in Abuja.

    The disagreement between the two politicians followed Kingibe’s criticism of the FCT Administration over alleged borrowing without the required approval of the National Assembly.

    Wike dismissed the allegation, arguing that government borrowing for infrastructure projects must form part of the budget and receive the necessary legislative approval. He also criticised Kingibe’s understanding of the borrowing process and said she had little to offer residents of the FCT.

    Responding on Thursday, Kingibe said she would not be intimidated by political pressure, stressing that questioning government actions was part of her responsibility as a legislator.

    She maintained that raising concerns about public borrowing and the use of public funds should not be interpreted as disrespect to the FCT minister or the administration.

    Kingibe challenged Wike to produce the Senate’s Votes and Proceedings showing when the loans she questioned were presented to and approved by the chamber.

    She said she was aware that the matter had not been brought before the Senate, while noting that she could not speak for the House of Representatives.

    The senator also insisted that no public office holder was beyond scrutiny, regardless of the position occupied.

    Her latest response adds to an increasingly public disagreement between the senator and the FCT minister over the administration of the territory, its financing and the 2027 Senate election.