El-Rufai Outperformed Wike as FCT Minister – Senator Ireti Kingibe

Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has stated that Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State, performed better as FCT Minister than the current Minister, Nyesom Wike, despite Wike’s high-profile infrastructure initiatives.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm on Tuesday, Kingibe argued that Wike’s projects in Abuja do not directly address the needs of everyday residents, suggesting that his approach is disconnected from the realities on the ground.

“If you ask any FCT person who has been the minister who has performed the most in the FCT, they will tell you El-Rufai,” she said.
“Why? El-Rufai built roads, but he also responded to the needs of the people.”

She criticized Wike’s focus on infrastructure alone, stressing that effective leadership in the FCT requires engagement with grassroots issues such as housing, markets, and basic amenities—areas she claims have been overlooked.

Kingibe cited a specific instance where the relocation of an abattoir lacked necessary infrastructure, claiming that Wike dismissed her concerns and those of affected residents.

“El-Rufai didn’t treat the senator like a common person when constituents had concerns. He addressed issues head-on,” she added.

The senator emphasized that a truly impactful FCT Minister must combine infrastructural development with responsiveness to the economic and social challenges faced by ordinary citizens.