Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has declared that the forthcoming local government elections in Abuja will serve as a political reckoning for FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, whom she accused of grossly neglecting the needs of the people.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, the outspoken senator said Wike’s style of leadership is disconnected from the realities on the ground and has earned him the resentment of Abuja’s residents.
“The truth is that the people of the FCT resent Wike. They are not happy with his attitude and his failure to meet their needs,” Kingibe said.
She added that the upcoming council elections would not just be a routine democratic exercise but a powerful referendum on Wike’s performance and a bold statement from the indigenous people and residents of Abuja.
“The people will show him who owns the FCT during the council polls,” she declared.
Senator Kingibe’s comments come amid mounting frustration over the deteriorating state of basic infrastructure and public services in various communities across the territory.
Investigations by SaharaReporters reveal that many areas in Abuja suffer from a dire lack of basic amenities, particularly access to clean and safe water. One such example is Chetta community in Gaube Ward of the Kuje Area Council, where residents rely on a contaminated water source overrun by illegal gold miners for their daily needs.
With the only stream in the area having dried up during the last dry season, the community has been forced to depend on unsafe water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene. This disturbing situation has exposed residents to heightened risks of cholera, diarrhea, and other waterborne diseases.
A civic tech platform, Monitng, raised the alarm after a recent visit, highlighting the growing public health crisis.
“The situation is taking a heavy toll. Children go to school without bathing, nursing mothers struggle to care for their infants, and women are left vulnerable during menstruation due to the lack of clean water,” the report stated.
Despite promises from both previous and current administrations, Chetta and other marginalized communities remain neglected, struggling daily with the absence of life’s most basic necessity—clean water.
As discontent brews across the capital territory, political observers say the local council elections could become a flashpoint, reflecting broader dissatisfaction with Wike’s stewardship and the urgent demand for inclusive, people-centered governance.
With the polls fast approaching, all eyes are now on the FCT — not just to elect local leaders, but to send a strong message about accountability, neglect, and the enduring spirit of a people ready to reclaim their voice.
PIONEER NEWS 