The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe, has strongly criticised FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over the sudden imposition of a territory-wide curfew, describing the move as authoritarian and unjustified.
In a statement released Friday through her Special Assistant on Media, Matilda Duncan, the lawmaker accused the Minister of acting without consultation and undermining democratic principles. She stressed that residents of Abuja are citizens of a democratic nation and should not be subjected to what she called “dictatorship-style decisions.”
Kingibe argued that there were no serious security threats in the FCT to justify such sweeping restrictions on movement. She warned that citing security concerns ahead of the upcoming Area Council elections should not be used as a cover for executive overreach.
According to her, policies that affect livelihoods, fundamental rights, and daily life must be transparent and involve proper stakeholder consultation.
The Senator also raised economic concerns, noting that the curfew would severely affect small businesses, traders, and daily wage earners who depend on evening commercial activities to survive.
She further warned of potential diplomatic consequences, pointing out that lawmakers from the ECOWAS Parliament are expected in Abuja for a 10-day extraordinary session, alongside several scheduled international and social events.
Kingibe stated that imposing such restrictions without a clear and present danger risks creating panic, disrupting diplomatic engagements, and damaging the capital’s global image as a commercial and diplomatic hub.
The dispute marks the latest escalation in tensions between the Senator and the FCT administration over governance and decision-making in the nation’s capital.
