The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has defended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over allegations that he secured loans for Abuja without National Assembly approval.
Agbese dismissed the allegation, insisting that Wike committed no infraction in financing projects and programmes across the Federal Capital Territory.
The lawmaker, a Labour Party representative from Benue State, described Wike as one of the most legislatively compliant public servants under the scrutiny of the legislature.
Agbese was reacting to allegations by Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the FCT, that the FCT Administration had engaged in borrowing without legislative approval.
Kingibe made the allegation during an appearance on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm.
She claimed that Wike had been taking loans for the FCT without obtaining approval from the National Assembly.
“I have never seen Wike come to the National Assembly and before the Senate to ask for approval of anything,” Kingibe said.
The senator said her concerns followed her review of Debt Management Office information covering the period between August 2023 and March 2026.
She added that FCT budgets were presented to the Senate through the relevant committee before consideration and approval.
Agbese Defends Wike
Reacting to the allegation, Agbese said there was no evidence that Wike had circumvented the National Assembly.
“Wike has committed no infraction in borrowings. There is no basis for the allegation that he has been borrowing money behind the back of the National Assembly,” he said.
According to him, public borrowing is governed by established constitutional and administrative procedures.
He argued that the FCT minister could not unilaterally create a sovereign borrowing obligation outside those procedures.
Agbese said Wike had consistently subjected the FCT Administration to legislative scrutiny through budget presentations, committee engagements and other oversight activities.
He maintained that an increase in the FCT debt profile did not automatically constitute evidence of wrongdoing.
The lawmaker linked the financing concerns to the scale of infrastructure development under Wike, including road construction, rehabilitation and transportation infrastructure.
He stressed that infrastructure financing through lawful borrowing was not an offence if the required procedures and approvals were followed.
Agbese challenged anyone alleging a violation to identify the specific transactions and provide evidence.
“Under our searchlight, the FCT Minister is one of the most legislatively compliant public servants. He has consistently engaged the National Assembly and subjected the activities of the FCT Administration to legislative scrutiny,” Agbese said.
