Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory, has dismissed allegations linking her to the sponsorship of a hunger protest in Abuja.
The accusations emerged after FCT Minister Nyesom Wike suggested that a senator was behind the protest, though he did not explicitly name anyone. The video referenced by Wike also implicated former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as one of those providing food to the protesters.
In response, Senator Kingibe strongly denied the claims, clarifying that the video in question was from a Labour Party National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held over six weeks ago, not related to the recent protests.
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“I am shocked and outraged by the blatant lies and misinformation being spread by mischief-makers!” Kingibe said.
“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.”
She criticized those recycling the old footage as part of a malicious campaign to discredit her and Peter Obi, stating, “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.”
Senator Kingibe further clarified that she had been unwell and had not left her house since Wednesday, making it impossible for her to have been involved in distributing food and water at the protest grounds. “Though that would be noble for whoever did,” she added.
She condemned the allegations as a “malicious and desperate attempt” to tarnish her reputation and cause confusion. “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,” she concluded.