Senator Ireti Kingibe says her defection to ADC was driven by Labour Party crisis, not fear of Nyesom Wike, reaffirming her commitment to opposition politics.
Senator Ireti Kingibe, the lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Nigeria’s Senate, has firmly rejected claims that her recent African Democratic Congress (ADC) defection was triggered by fear of political intimidation or threats from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Instead, she insists that her decision was the product of constitutional realities and deep internal challenges within the Labour Party.
Appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the senator clarified that her move from the Labour Party to ADC was neither reactive nor personal.
According to her, the suggestion that Wike influenced her political decision misunderstands both the political structure of the FCT and her long-standing commitment to democratic opposition.
Kingibe stressed that electoral outcomes in the FCT are not controlled by any single political figure.
She noted that from the early years of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic to the present day, the capital territory has consistently demonstrated political independence, often voting against prevailing power structures.
“Minister Wike cannot determine whether I win or lose an election,” she said.
“The people of the FCT have always exercised their will freely. Nobody has successfully imposed candidates on them, and that reality has not changed.”
Labour Party Crisis as the Real Trigger
At the heart of Kingibe’s ADC defection, she explained, is the unresolved Labour Party crisis that has fractured the party into competing factions.
According to her, the division has made the party structurally unstable and incapable of providing a credible platform for elected officials and aspirants ahead of future elections.
If you are holding office or preparing for re-election, which faction do you belong to? The confusion is not theoretical—it affects candidate selection, campaigns, and electoral legitimacy.”
She argued that the Constitution clearly allows elected lawmakers to defect when their party is factionalised, noting that such provisions exist to protect democratic representation rather than punish political survival.
While condemning politicians who defect arbitrarily for convenience, Kingibe maintained that her case meets the constitutional threshold, describing her decision as lawful and principled.
Why ADC Emerged as the Alternative
The senator said the ADC has become the most viable platform for opposition politicians displaced by the Labour Party crisis.
According to her, the ADC defection was motivated by the need for an organised, functioning party structure capable of sustaining opposition politics beyond 2027.
“To run for office, you must have a platform,” she said.
“For those of us committed to opposition politics, ADC is the most practical alternative available at this moment.”
She emphasised that the move was not designed to align with any individual political heavyweight but rather to preserve pluralism and prevent Nigeria from sliding into a de facto one-party system.
Position on 2027 and Peter Obi Speculation
Addressing speculation that former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi might contest the 2027 election on the ADC platform, Kingibe adopted a cautious but inclusive stance.
She said her loyalty lies with democratic opposition rather than with any single political figure.
“Peter Obi may emerge as the candidate, or he may not,” she said.
“What matters to me is strengthening opposition politics. Democracy thrives on alternatives, not dominance.”
She warned that a weakened opposition could erode accountability and governance standards, arguing that Nigeria’s democracy requires strong, organised dissent to function effectively.
Relationship with Nyesom Wike
On her relationship with the FCT minister, Kingibe dismissed narratives of hostility or rivalry.
She acknowledged that Wike has recorded visible achievements, particularly in road construction and infrastructure renewal across parts of the capital.
However, she expressed concerns about what she described as repeated disregard for due process and limited institutional engagement with elected representatives.
She recounted writing a letter to Wike to commend the rehabilitation of Kunene Close, her residential street, clarifying that the gesture was purely civic and not political.
“When someone does something commendable, I will say so,” she explained.
“That letter was simply an appreciation for fixing a long-neglected road. It was not a declaration of loyalty.”
Oversight, Rule of Law, and Governance Concerns
Kingibe emphasised that oversight remains a constitutional duty of legislators, regardless of party affiliation or personal relationships. She stated that calling attention to governance lapses should not be mistaken for personal attacks.
“The minister does some good work,” she said, “but there are times when the rule of law is not fully respected. It is my responsibility to raise those issues. That is the essence of legislative oversight.”
She also criticised the absence of structured engagement between the FCT minister and elected lawmakers, noting that previous administrations maintained regular consultative meetings to address residents’ needs.
According to her, nearly three years into the current administration, such forums have not taken place, leaving critical issues like waste management, security, and urban planning inadequately discussed.
Looking Ahead
Despite her criticisms, Kingibe expressed optimism that improved cooperation between the FCT administration and elected representatives could emerge in the new year.
She argued that better collaboration would ultimately serve residents of the nation’s capital rather than political interests.
As debates around ADC defection, party realignment, and opposition politics continue to shape Nigeria’s political landscape, Kingibe’s position underscores a broader concern about party stability, constitutional integrity, and the future of democratic competition in the country.
Ireport247news
