‘Politics is expensive everywhere’ – Wike replies critics over high billboard cost in Abuja

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has said that politics is expensive anywhere in the world.

Wike said this on Thursday during his monthly media chat in Port Harcourt, where he defended the high cost of placing adverts on billboards as the country prepares for the forthcoming general elections in 2027.

His defence comes amid the outcry by several opposition parties over access to communication media through which voters can be reached, as they jostle for votes.

He argued that the cost of political campaigns is high across the world, adding that no party should see the price increase as a deliberate targeted attack.

“Politics is expensive all over the world,” Wike said, noting that political parties can use their social media to campaign since they have platforms there.

Recall that opposition parties had alleged that while they are unable to afford the high price tags of billboards, those of the All Progressives Congress, APC, have dominated major cities across the country.

While addressing the allegation, Wike said, “We want money. The FCT wants money, and part of us making money is through the billboards to raise our revenue.

“If we know that in a given time, people will rush the billboard and authorities feel that we will raise the funds to make more money.”