Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has launched a blistering response to recent comments by the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe, saying she is “blinded by the spirit of her impending electoral woe” and incapable of acknowledging the massive transformation taking place in Abuja and its satellite towns.
Olayinka described Kingibe’s attacks on Wike as “desperate attempts to revive her dead political career,” adding:
“It is funny that someone who is impersonating by using the name of Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, that is no longer her husband, believes that jumping from one television station to the other to disparage the FCT Minister will revive her dead political career.”
Kingibe had, during a television program on Monday, said President Bola Tinubu’s biggest mistake was appointing Nyesom Wike as Minister of the FCT.
In his reaction, Olayinka challenged her to visit communities transformed under Wike’s leadership and repeat those claims:
“She should go to communities like Saburi, Dei Dei, Kabusa, Ketti, Yangoji, Pai, Gomani, Gishiri, Kwaita, Yebu, Yangoji, Sukuku, Ebo, Ushafa and others that now have good roads, and tell the people that President Tinubu made a mistake by appointing Wike as FCT Minister.”
He also highlighted specific ongoing projects and fulfilled promises across the FCT:
“Most importantly, she can also visit traders in the Apo Mechanic Village, whose dream of being relocated to a permanent site is being fulfilled more than 15 years after, as well as those residing along Apo-Wasa road, and tell them it was a mistake that Wike was appointed as FCT Minister.
In Abaji, Federal Capital Territory University, Abaji (FCTU), a university established close to 15 years ago but abandoned, is now witnessing massive infrastructural development. Also, general renovation of 22 schools has been done in the last 12 months, while renovation of more than 40 others is ongoing.”
Olayinka argued that Kingibe’s attacks are politically motivated:
“As expected of someone already blinded by the spirit of a coming defeat, Ireti, alias Kingibe, won’t see all these. Reason is, she knows that in 2027, she won’t be able to retain the Senate seat she accidentally got in 2023. She knows that the factor that got her to the Senate is no longer available, and she is desperate to use attacks on Wike to gain political leverage.”
Taking a personal swipe, he accused Kingibe of mistreating her staff:
“Unfortunately, Wike is not in the comity of frustrated politicians like Ireti ‘Kingibe,’ who is treating her aides like slaves, refusing to pay their wages and entitlements for months.”
He concluded with a blunt admonition:
“At 71, a woman should have a clear identity, use her legitimate names, and stop using the name of a man she is no longer married to.”
