The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has taken another swipe at the FCT Senator, Ireti Kingibe, saying he only works with leaders who maintain strong connections with their constituents.

This is the latest gibe in the ongoing feud between the two politicians.

Speaking at the flag-off of the Kwaita-Yebu Road reconstruction in Kwali on Thursday, Wike praised former Senator Philip Aduda for his continued engagement with the community despite losing his reelection bid to Kingibe in 2023.

“I will work with those who work with the people and those who connect with their people,” wike, who didn’t directly mention Kingibe, said.

The minister’s statement follows the political brickbat that was reignited after Kingibe criticised Wike’s administration during an Arise TV interview.

The senator had expressed frustration over what she perceived as a lack of communication between the FCT Minister’s office and herself as the elected representative of the FCT.

In response, Wike had previously vowed to prevent Kingibe’s re-election in 2027, stating, “If you are very popular, 2027 come and run under Abuja, we will fail you. Do you think that what happened last time will happen again? It will not happen again. Luckily for me, I am the FCT Minister now. So that is my territory and I’m not afraid.”

Meanwhile, during the inauguration of the road construction, Wike said, “This is the eighth time I have visited FCT area councils with respect to infrastructure projects.

“I have been to the six area councils to inaugurate construction of road projects and was at Kwali to inaugurate a completed bridge. Today, I am in Kwali again, to inaugurate the reconstruction of a road project.

“This is in fulfilment of Tinubu’s promise to transform rural communities and equip them with basic infrastructure,” he said.

The minister said he had revised the project’s completion timeline from 18 months to 12 months.

Wike reiterated that the Tinubu-led administration would not neglect rural people.

Wike added that there was ongoing rehabilitation of schools, with contracts soon to be awarded for 20 more schools.

The Chairman of Kwali Area Council, Mr. Danladi Chiya, in his remarks commended Wike’s focus on rural infrastructure development, noting that the road had been in disrepair for over a decade.

“The reconstruction of the road will significantly ease the movement of people and produce in affected communities,” Chiya said.