Wike has been taking loans without senate approval – Senator Ireti Kingibe alleges

The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, has accused the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, of taking loans without the approval of the National Assembly.

Speaking on Channels TV recently, the senator said she had raised concerns with the Senate leadership over the FCT minister’s borrowings.

“I have never seen Wike come to the national assembly and before the senate to ask for approval of anything,” she said.

Kingibe said FCT budgets are usually presented to the Senate through the relevant committee for consideration before being approved by the upper legislative chamber.

She, however, alleged that Wike had never sought legislative approval for the loans he obtained for the nation’s capital.

“I am definitely saying he has been taking loans without the approval of the national assembly. I don’t know about the house, but certainly not the senate,” she said.

The senator said she became aware of the loans after reviewing information from the Debt Management Office (DMO) covering borrowings from August 2023 to March 2026.

Kingibe challenged anyone disputing her claim to provide evidence that Wike appeared before the national assembly to seek approval for the loans.

“If anybody contradicts me, they should bring the Votes and Proceedings of the day that Wike came to the national assembly to ask for approval for anything,” she said

Kingibe added that President Bola Tinubu, from whom Wike derives his powers, submits requests for loans and appointments to the national assembly, adding that Wike’s powers could not exceed those of the commander-in-chief.