Ireti Kingibe to Wike: It’s shameful, irresponsible alleging I gave Abuja hunger protesters food

The senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe has slammed the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, for alleging that he saw a senator giving food to hunger protesters in the FCT on Thursday.

Wike had declared, “That is sponsorship. A senator providing food for protesters.

“At the appropriate time, security agencies will invite the senator and find out how you will be sponsoring this kind of thing against the government of the day,” he stated during a press conference following the outbreak of protests in the FCT and across the country on Thursday.

Although he did not mention names, the video he referenced also linked former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter, as one of those providing food to protesters.

However, the video showed Obi addressing protesters which both the two Labour Party top shots have said was recorded when they alongside other top members of the party including other elected officials of the party in the FCT went to the party’s office in Abuja to mediate against the party leadership crisis.

THE WHISTLER did not see anyone providing food to protesters when viewing and analysing the video which was shared on Tiktok.

Obi however could be heard advising the protesters who had staged the protest against the party’s National Chairman, Mr Julius Abure, that “nobody here is more important than the others including me, we want the country (Nigeria) to work,” while senator Kingibe was seen standing by with other top brass of the party.

Obi on Friday denied the video and said he was not part of the protests in the FCT or the country and warned against orchestrated moves against his person.

On her part, Senator Kingibe said “I am shocked and outraged by the blatant lies and misinformation being spread by mischief-makers! The video being circulated is from over six weeks ago, during a Labour Party NWC meeting, when the NLC was protesting outside the Labour Party office.

“As stakeholders, including Senators, House of Reps members, and Mr. Peter Obi, we went out to engage with the protesters and address their concerns.

“Now, these deceitful individuals are trying to pass off this old footage as current, claiming that Mr PeterObi and I were leading protests in Abuja yesterday.”

She described it as “a malicious and desperate attempt to discredit us,” adding, “Let me set the record straight: Mr. Peter Obi is not in Abuja, and I haven’t left my house since Wednesday due to illness, much less distributed food and water at the protest grounds, though that would be noble for whoever did.

“I condemn this orchestrated attempt to spread falsehoods and cause confusion, using it as the basis to claim I sponsored the Abuja protest.

“It is a shameless and irresponsible act that will not be tolerated.

“We will not stand idly by while our names and reputations are dragged through the mud by these unscrupulous individuals,” she stated.

Senator Kingibe and Wike have been having a running battle over who controls the FCT. The senator has accused Wike of dominance and neglecting her in the affairs of the FCT.

The minister a few weeks ago vowed to ensure Senator Kingibe is defeated during the next senatorial election after declaring that he will not work with her.