By Sandra Kenneth
The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has dismissed allegations that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, obtained unauthorized loans for the territory without National Assembly approval.
Agbese, a Labour Party lawmaker representing Benue State, stated on Thursday that there is no evidence suggesting Wike breached public finance laws or bypassed constitutional procedure while funding infrastructure projects in Abuja.
Allegations of Unapproved Loans
The House spokesperson was reacting to recent claims made by Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the FCT in the Senate.
Speaking on a Television program, Kingibe alleged that Debt Management Office (DMO) documents covering August 2023 to March 2026 revealed an increase in FCT debt without legislative clearance. She noted that she had yet to see Wike appear before the Senate specifically to request loan approvals.
Refuting the allegations, Agbese emphasized that public borrowing is subject to strict constitutional and administrative checks, meaning no minister can unilaterally create sovereign debt obligations.
Agbese described Wike as “one of the most legislatively compliant public servants,” noting that FCT funds and capital projects regularly undergo scrutiny through annual budget defenses and committee appearances.
He argued that an expanded debt profile alone does not imply illegal financial arrangements, citing the extensive road rehabilitation, transport networks, and capital development currently underway across Abuja.
Agbese urged critics to present specific transaction details and official documents to support their allegations rather than making generalized political claims.
The exchange highlights growing friction between Senator Kingibe and the FCT Administration over fiscal transparency and debt management, even as the administration maintains that all financial activities remain strictly within legal frameworks.
