Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has defended the FCT Administration’s borrowing for infrastructure projects, insisting that government loans are subject to the required budgetary and National Assembly approval processes.
Wike spoke on Tuesday in Abuja while inspecting ongoing road projects, in response to allegations by the FCT Senator, Ireti Kingibe, that the administration obtained loans for capital projects without the approval of the National Assembly. The minister dismissed the allegation, arguing that government borrowing is incorporated into the budget and requires legislative approval.
The minister also criticised Kingibe’s position and said she would not return to the Senate in 2027. He linked the dispute to the emerging political contest ahead of the 2027 elections and reiterated his support for former Senator Philip Aduda, who is the APC candidate for the FCT Senate seat, according to INEC’s published list.
Wike said the focus should be on whether borrowed funds were being applied to infrastructure projects that benefit FCT residents rather than on the borrowing itself. He pointed to ongoing road construction and rehabilitation projects as evidence of the administration’s infrastructure programme.
Kingibe had based her allegation on information from the Debt Management Office covering the period between August 2023 and March 2026. The House of Representatives subsequently rejected the allegation, with its Deputy Spokesman, Philip Agbese, saying there was no evidence that the FCT Administration had violated the required procedures for financing its infrastructure projects.
During the inspection, Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress of work on the N1 road and other projects covering the Tunga Madaki-Zuba and Kagini corridors. He said the completed projects would improve connectivity, stimulate economic activity and benefit residents of communities along the affected routes.
