Kingibe Raises Alarm Over FCT Borrowing, Demands Senate Scrutiny of Wike’s Administration
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Fintan Ifebuche
ABUJA, Nigeria — Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe, has raised concerns over the rising debt profile of the FCT and alleged that loans have been obtained by the administration of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike without the approval of the National Assembly.
Kingibe made the allegation during an appearance on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm programme on Tuesday, where she discussed the administration of the FCT, the Abuja Master Plan and the oversight responsibilities of the National Assembly.
According to the senator, records from the Debt Management Office (DMO) showed that the FCT’s domestic debt increased significantly between 2023 and March 2026. She questioned how such borrowing could have taken place without the FCT Administration appearing before the National Assembly to seek the necessary legislative approval.
“I am definitely saying Wike has been taking loans without the approval of the National Assembly,” Kingibe said, adding that she had brought the issue to the attention of the Senate leadership.
She said the minister had appeared before the Senate Committee on the FCT but claimed that the committee had only sat once, arguing that this did not amount to adequate legislative scrutiny of the territory’s financial activities.
The senator further argued that the National Assembly has a constitutional and statutory responsibility to oversee public finances and ensure that borrowing by government authorities complies with relevant laws and approved financial frameworks.
Available DMO data confirms that the FCT’s domestic debt stood at ₦389.88 billion as of March 31, 2026. The DMO has published periodic records of the domestic debt positions of the states and the FCT, including figures for December 2025 and March 2026.
The increase has intensified scrutiny of the FCT’s finances amid Wike’s extensive infrastructure programme in Abuja and satellite communities. The minister has prioritised road construction, rehabilitation of existing infrastructure, expansion of urban facilities and other capital projects since assuming office in August 2023.
However, the existence of increased debt does not by itself establish that the FCT Administration violated borrowing laws. Nigeria’s Fiscal Responsibility Act provides that government borrowing must comply with applicable approval requirements, while the legal framework for public debt management gives the National Assembly important powers over government borrowing. T
he DMO’s national debt management framework also states that legislative approval is required for public borrowing in accordance with the applicable constitutional and statutory provisions.
The distinction is important because Kingibe’s allegation concerns the approval process, rather than simply the size of the FCT’s debt. Documents showing the source of the loans, lending institutions, purposes, repayment terms and approvals would therefore be necessary to independently establish whether the borrowing complied with the law.
The controversy comes amid an increasingly strained relationship between Kingibe and Wike over the administration of the FCT.
In recent weeks, the senator has criticised aspects of the minister’s handling of flooding, urban planning, demolitions and protection of Abuja’s green areas. Wike, in response, has accused Kingibe of using television appearances to criticise the administration rather than working through the National Assembly.
Kingibe has also recently questioned the level of Senate oversight of the FCT Administration, particularly concerning spending, borrowing and compliance with decisions of the National Assembly. She alleged that the Senate had directed the suspension of some demolitions and land revocations pending an investigation, but claimed that the exercise continued.
The latest debt controversy is therefore likely to increase calls for greater transparency over the FCT’s finances. If the Senate proceeds with the matter, attention is expected to focus on the specific loans identified by Kingibe, the legal authority under which they were contracted, the role of the DMO and relevant federal authorities, and whether the borrowing formed part of approved budgets or other authorised financing arrangements.
For Abuja residents, the debate extends beyond the political disagreement between the senator and the minister. The central issue is whether public borrowing is being undertaken transparently, lawfully and for projects capable of delivering sufficient value to justify the financial obligations ultimately borne by the public.
Abuja is Nigeria’s Federal Capital and is administered by the Federal Capital Territory Administration under the supervision of the Minister of the FCT. Unlike Nigeria’s 36 states, the FCT has no elected governor or state House of Assembly. Its administration is consequently subject to federal institutions and National Assembly oversight within the constitutional framework governing the territory.
The FCT has experienced rapid population growth and extensive infrastructure development, making financing for roads, transportation, water, drainage and other urban projects a major issue in its administration.
SEO Metadata
Meta Title:
Meta Description:
Excerpt:
