Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has said that politics is expensive anywhere in the world.
Speaking during his monthly media chat in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Wike justified the high cost of billboard adverts as the country gears up for the 2027 general elections.
His defence follows in the midst of the outcry by several opposition parties over access to communication media through which voters can be reached, as they jostle for votes.
He made his argument, saying that the cost of political campaigns is high all over the world, adding that no party should see the price increment as a deliberate targeted attack.
“Politics is expensive all over the world,” Wike noted that political parties can use their social media to campaign since they have platforms there.
It will be recalled that opposition parties had accused the APC of dominating major cities with its billboards, while they themselves could not afford the high prices.
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.”