FCT Senator Kingibe denies sponsoring protest, says it’s ‘blatant lies, misinformation’

*Senator Ireti Kingibe, Federal lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory, in the National Assembly, refutes sponsoring the #EndBadGovernance protest, in Abuja, Nigeria, stating ‘it is a shameless and irresponsible act that will not be tolerated’

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Senator Ireti Kingibe, Federal lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the National Assembly (NASS), has denied sponsoring the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest, in Abuja.

A video had circulated in the social media space, alleging that Senator Kingibe was sponsoring the protest.

In reaction to the allegation through her X handle Friday, August 2, 2024, she described it as “misinformation”.

Kingibe wrote: “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.”

The Federal lawmaker also stated: “Now, these deceitful individuals are trying to pass off this old footage as current, claiming that Mr. Peter Obi and I were leading protests in Abuja yesterday (Thursday). This is a malicious and desperate attempt to discredit us,” she said.

“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.”

It is recalled that in the thick of the protest August 1, in the FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike, Honourable Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, had told reporters after a security council meeting, that the country’s security agencies had identified “a Senator”, who allegedly sponsored protests in the FCT.

The Minister, though did not disclose the identity of the particular Senator, he alleged that the lawmaker also provided food for the protesters in Abuja.

Wike stated: “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 also cautioned protesters in the FCT to obey the court order and stick to only the MKO Abiola Stadium for the protest.

The minister commended protesters in Abuja for shunning violence and choosing the path of peace.

Yet, he affirmed that security agencies got an intelligence report of persons wanting to hijack the peaceful protest which is the reason they want protesters in one place.

He also asserted that he was never against the protest but all demonstrations should be carried out according to the law.

The Minister, therefore, restated the Federal Government’s readiness to dialogue with the protesters.

Wike averred President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is taking necessary measures to alleviate the economic hardship of Nigerian consumers.

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