FCT Senator, Ireti Kingibe has incurred the wrath of residents of the Federal Capital Territory accusing her of poor representation and declaring she is not bold enough to represent them.
In fierce exchanges on X/Twitter on Sunday, they vented their anger on Kingibe who had earlier been accused of occupying the seat without any achievements of playing to the gallery in the face of brutal attacks on protesters in the FCT by security agencies.
The attacks killed a teenage boy on Saturday in Kubwa when he came out to watch protesters filing through the streets and another police officer was accused of pointing a gun at another teenage boy in a video obtained by NewsNGR and making the rounds across social media.
The police denied its operatives killed anyone despite eyewitnesses’ narrations of what happened but kept silent on a gun being pointed at a teenager.
The Kubwa protest is in support of the nationwide protests which have led to the killings of over 20 people across the country, a development condemned by human rights groups like Amnesty International, HURIWA and civil society organisations.
Kingibe who had earlier dissociated herself from a video which forced the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike to accuse her of sharing foods to protesters thereby encouraging them, had called for dialogue instead of protest against hunger and hardship in the FCT and the country generally.
She said, “My heart is shattered seeing the devastating violence and destruction unfolding between the Nigerian police and protesters, especially in our federal capital.
“It’s time for us to come together, engage in dialogue, and find alternative solutions to this senseless cycle of violence.
“We must prioritise protecting the lives and properties of both our government and our people.”
That did not go down well with the residents who flooded her timeline and accused her of not supporting the people with one respondent accusing her of only being concerned about her election and not the people.
Tobi Akinjob replied thus, “Your first paragraph doesn’t sit well; it should sound like this: ‘My heart is shattered seeing the devastating violence and destruction caused by the Nigerian police on peaceful protesters, especially in our federal capital.’
“There was no report of destruction by peaceful protesters in the FCT, as they remained law-abiding even when being shot at by the police.”
Also, Frank said, “It’s better you deleted that first paragraph or say nothing. It’s false.
“If you are not bold enough to say that sponsored thugs are responsible for the destruction of properties then say nothing.
“We’ve been peaceful but the police are killing us. We’ve been peaceful but the government is sending thugs to attack us.
“It’s either you are for us or you are against us,” he said.
Yet another respondent, Chrys said,
“You are so afraid to play the opposition role.
“We campaigned for you and we are still supporting you therefore, we expect a little bit more from you.”
He emphasised that, “The responsibility for the untimely loss of lives among the protesters goes to Tinubu who has refused to listen to the demands of the protesters.
“Why can’t you call him out? What are you afraid of?
“I respect you as a mother and a member of our highest legislative body and I am not going to insult but I am disappointed with your statement,” he added.
While Fadoro Oluwato said, “Protesters aren’t the violent ones
Police, Dss and other officers are and that is clear,” Albert Galo said,
“Madame Senator…Dialogue at this time is not an option. You have not been able to dialogue with Wike as a Senator of the FR… how can we, the people, dialogue with him and his likes?
“The only way forward is to use our collective power of protest to achieve any result.”
The senator responded to few of the flurry of criticisms but later backed off seeing the violent dimension the dialogue was assuming.