Aniefiok Christopher
Senator Ireti Kingibe has likened behavior of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to a scene from a documentary about the late Ugandan Leader Idi Amin.
Kingibe reacted strongly to remarks by Wike that she would not returned to the Senate in 2027 because she has “no project to show.”
Representing the FCT in the Upper Legislative Chamber, she was elected Senator on the Labour Party (LP) platform in 2023.
In 2024 and on March 2, 2026, Wike vowed that the senator would not be re-elected in 2027 general elections.
Prior to this, Kingibe had refused to respond to her letters and messages amid rising insecurity in Abuja.
She said the incident portrayed in the documentary left a lasting impression on her and appeared similar to what she believes she observed in the minister’s political style.
Speaking during an interview with Nigeria Info FM, the Senator criticized the minister’s conduct, and described his approach to politics as troubling.
The documentary, according to the Senator, showed Amin participating in a swimming competition where he allegedly started before others and then celebrated boastfully after winning.
She used the example as a metaphor to describe what she perceives as an attitude of excessive self-confidence and disregard for fairness.
“In the documentary, he started before everybody else and then he was celebrating like he had achieved something extraordinary,” Kingibe said.
She suggested that similar patterns of behavior could appear in political leadership when individuals believe they cannot be challenged.
According to Kingibe, Wike’s actions and statements reflect what she referred to as a “god complex,” suggesting that he behaves as though he has unchecked power.
She emphasized that her political future will ultimately depend on the voters who elected her, not on the opinions or preferences of political opponents.
Kingibe questioned the appropriateness of such statements from a public official responsible for overseeing governance in the territory.
The Senator argued that political competition should be determined by voters rather than by the influence of individuals in positions of authority.
‘‘The threats about electoral outcomes undermine democratic principles and could create unnecessary political tension within the capital,’’ she added.
