Ibe Seeks Wike Media Chat Costs and Funding Details

Paul Ibe has challenged Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike to disclose the cost and funding of his recurring broadcast media chats, estimating that a monthly schedule could amount to ₦1.92 billion to ₦3.84 billion a year. Ibe, a media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, based the estimate on Wike’s latest two-hour session in Abuja, which he said was carried by at least eight broadcast outlets. He cited assumed airtime rates of ₦10 million to ₦20 million per station per hour, producing an estimated ₦160 million to ₦320 million for one session across the outlets. The annual figures are conditional calculations, not verified spending. They assume a comparable session takes place each month at the same rates. Ibe did not provide invoices or other documentary evidence establishing how much was actually paid, and the actual cost of the latest broadcast has not been established in the information available. Ibe called on Wike to publish broadcast invoices, identify which stations were paid, disclose the amounts and explain the funding sources and relevant budget lines.