The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory in the Senate, Ireti Kingibe, has said the issue of division of powers in the region needs careful examination.
Kingibe also emphasized that the National Assembly and its members have a supervisory role over the actions of the ministers and that this oversight role appears to be the crux of the current contention in the region.
There had been perceived rift between the senator and the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, in the past concerning who governed the territory.
She said, “It’s important to recognise that the Federal Capital Territory operates differently from other regions; here, the highest elected official is the Senator, as opposed to a governor.
“Moreover, we only have two representatives in the House of Representatives. The division of powers between the executive and the legislature in the FCT is ambiguous and warrants careful examination.
“Historically, despite the structural issues, previous ministers have acknowledged the legislators as the people’s representatives and collaborated with them to address the populace’s needs, thereby mitigating these systemic flaws.
“It is imperative for every minister to recognise that the National Assembly and its members have a supervisory role over their actions. This oversight appears to be the crux of the current contention.”
She, however, expressed her commitment to working with all parties to address the needs of the people, prioritizing security, hunger, water, hospitals, and schools.
“As a senator, there are numerous initiatives I am eager to pursue, provided our budget allows it. I aim to prioritize, especially the smaller, yet significant, aspects of governance,” she added.
