Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory, has criticized FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for alleging that he saw a senator providing food to hunger protesters in the FCT.
During a press conference, Wike claimed that this act amounted to sponsorship of the protests and hinted at potential security investigations into the senator’s actions.
Wike did not mention any names, but he referred to a video that also implicated Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, in providing food to protesters. However, analysis of the video showed that it depicted Obi addressing protesters about a leadership crisis within the Labour Party and did not show anyone distributing food.
Obi and Kingibe both refuted the allegations, with Obi stating that he was not part of the protests and Kingibe expressing shock and outrage at the misinformation. Kingibe clarified that the video in question was from a Labour Party meeting six weeks prior and that neither she nor Obi had been involved in recent protests. She condemned the attempts to discredit her and Obi as malicious and irresponsible.
Kingibe and Wike have had ongoing conflicts over the control of the FCT, with Wike previously stating his intention to ensure Kingibe’s defeat in the next senatorial election.