A senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mohammed Ndarani, has called on all stakeholders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), both elected and appointed, to cooperate for the development of the FCT.
Ndarani made the call in an interaction with journalists in reaction to the supremacy battle between the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the Senator representing FCT, Ms Ireti Kingibe.
Wike and Kingibe have not had a cordial working relationship since they assumed their respective offices as Kingibe had repeatedly accused Wike of sidelining her despite being the senator representing the FCT.
According to the lawyer, Wike and Kingibe working together will bring positive change and forge greater good for Nigeria.He urged them to abide by the guiding rules of their different offices to strengthen each other.
He noted that although the two individuals are not from the same political party, previous elective and appointed officers of the FCT from different parties have always found their ways of working together.
Ndarani, equally pointed out that these individuals have different roles to play in their respective positions but ultimately to deliver the dividend of democracy to the people.
Section 302 of the 1999 Constitution, he noted, provides: “The President may, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by Section 147 of this Constitution, appoint for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, a Minister who shall exercise such powers and perform such functions as may be delegated to him by the President, from time to time.”
He explained that Ireti’s office is provided under section 48 of the 1999 Constitution to make laws for the peace and good governance of the people of Nigeria including the FCT.
“The functions and duties of the two offices are distinct but they must work together for the common good of the people of Nigeria and FCT.
“Actually, Wike is not answerable to the senator, just like the senator is not answerable to the minister either. They are both answerable to the president and the citizens of Nigeria,” he explained.
