Nigerian senator alleges Wike took out loans without parliamentary approval — Premium Times Nigeria

Ireti Kingibe, the senator representing Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, said that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, allegedly obtained loans for the territory’s administration without approval from the National Assembly. Premium Times Nigeria reports.

Kingibe, a member of the African Democratic Congress, made similar allegations in August. In a new statement, she called on Wike to provide the minutes and proceedings of the meeting at which the National Assembly allegedly approved the relevant borrowings. The senator said the matter had not been considered in the Senate, although she could not speak on behalf of the House of Representatives.

The minister’s position

Wike denied the allegations. According to him, government bodies cannot obtain a loan without the approval of the National Assembly: the intention to borrow must be included in the budget, indicating the purpose for which it will be used.

More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.

The minister also said that Kingibe would not return to the Senate after the 2027 elections because, he claimed, residents of the Federal Capital Territory would support former senator Philip Aduda. In response, Kingibe stressed that no official is above the law and that the decision on electing the territory’s representative belongs to its residents.

Borrowing rules

The Federal Capital Territory has a special constitutional status in Nigeria. Legislative powers exercised by local assemblies in the states belong to the National Assembly in relation to this territory, while executive powers belong to the president. The president may delegate some of these functions to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Under provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007 cited by the publication, a government body planning to borrow must define its purpose and submit an analysis of the economic and social benefits. Prior authorization in the budget law or another law is required for the use of a loan, and the funds must be directed only toward long-term capital expenditure. Nigeria’s Debt Management Office rules also require a National Assembly resolution and budget justification for domestic loans taken by the Federal Capital Territory.