“FCT Treasury Is Not Your Personal Account” – Atiku Challenges Wike To Publish Invoices For Live Media Parleys

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to publish invoices and disclose the sources of funding for his monthly live media engagements, raising questions about transparency and the use of public resources.

Atiku’s camp raises questions over broadcast costs

The demand was made by Paul Ibe, Atiku’s media adviser, following Wike’s latest media parley in Abuja on Tuesday, October 13, which was broadcast across several television and radio stations.

According to reports, at least eight broadcast outlets aired the session, including Arise Television, Channels Television, TVC, News Central, AIT, JDK, Aso TV and Radio, and ADBN.

Ibe estimated that airtime could cost between ₦10 million and ₦20 million per station per hour. Using those estimates, he calculated that a two-hour broadcast across eight stations could cost between ₦160 million and ₦320 million per session.

If the same spending occurred monthly for 12 months, the estimated annual cost would range from ₦1.92 billion to ₦3.84 billion. However, these are estimates, not verified expenditure figures; no invoices establishing the actual cost were provided in the reports.

What Atiku wants Wike to disclose

Ibe called on the minister to publish the relevant invoices and identify:

The television and radio stations that received payments.

The amounts paid to each broadcaster.

The sources of funding for the broadcasts.

The specific budget lines under which any public expenditure was authorised.

He argued that although ministers have a responsibility to explain their performance to the public, government resources should serve public purposes rather than personal political disputes.

FCT development versus political engagements

Atiku’s camp also questioned whether Wike’s media appearances devote sufficient attention to the everyday concerns of residents of the Federal Capital Territory.

Ibe pointed to infrastructure, water supply, schools, hospitals, sanitation and security as issues deserving attention, arguing that public spending should be assessed against the needs of Abuja residents.

The dispute comes amid heightened political activity ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election, with Wike publicly engaging opposition figures while defending his political alignment with President Bola Tinubu.

Wike’s camp pushes back

Wike’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, reportedly dismissed the cost calculations as speculative and challenged Atiku’s camp to provide proof of payment before making assertions. He also redirected attention to financial questions previously raised by Wike about past transactions involving Atiku’s political camp.

That response highlights the central unresolved issue: the estimated cost of a broadcast does not establish how much was actually paid, who paid it or whether public funds were involved.

What Nigerians should watch for

The key question is not simply whether Wike holds regular media briefings. It is whether any expenditure associated with them can be transparently accounted for.

Three facts would help settle the dispute:

Actual invoices and payment records showing the amounts charged and paid.

The funding source establishing whether the expenditure came from the FCT Administration, a political organisation or another source.

The relevant budgetary authority, if public money was used, showing the purpose for which the expenditure was approved.

Until these details are made available, the projected ₦1.92 billion to ₦3.84 billion annual cost should not be treated as established government spending.

Bottom line: Atiku’s camp is demanding financial transparency from Wike over the cost of his live media engagements. Wike’s camp disputes the basis of the estimates. The available reports do not independently establish the actual cost or prove that FCT funds paid for the broadcasts.