Human Rights Lawyer Urges Restraint on Wike’s Lavish Media Displays Amid National Hardship

By Mary Obi

Human rights lawyer and activist, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently rein in the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over what he described as “extravagant and tone-deaf” monthly media engagements.

In a statement released to journalists on Monday, Ejiofor criticized the FCT Minister’s reported expenditure of hundreds of millions of naira on what he termed “ostentatious media chats,” arguing that the spectacle amounts to a gross misuse of public funds at a time of economic hardship.

“As millions of Nigerians battle record inflation, stagnant wages, and deepening poverty, it is unconscionable that the FCT Minister reportedly spends hundreds of millions of naira monthly on a media event that offers little substance and reeks of misplaced priorities,” Ejiofor stated.

He described the recurring media appearances as poorly timed and out of touch, especially given Nigeria’s current socio-economic challenges. Citing the country’s widespread poverty and inadequate access to healthcare, education, and shelter, Ejiofor argued that public funds must be channelled towards urgent humanitarian needs.

“The cost of just one edition of this media spectacle could provide emergency relief and shelter for thousands displaced by floods in Niger State. It could rehabilitate dilapidated primary schools, equip rural health centres, or sustain nutrition programs in IDP camps for months,” he said.

Ejiofor stressed that while public engagement is important, the current format and scale of Wike’s media events border on theatrical extravagance rather than transparent governance.

“Nigerians are not asking for a televised circus. They are crying out for competent governance, fiscal responsibility, and leadership that prioritizes the public good,” he asserted.

Calling on President Tinubu to act decisively, Ejiofor urged the president to redirect government focus from “flamboyance and fanfare” to policies rooted in humility, accountability, and service.

“President Tinubu must urgently call the FCT Minister to order, halt this wasteful spending, and ensure that public funds are directed toward meaningful development. This is not the time for vanity projects—it is a time for responsible, people-centred leadership. Nigeria deserves better. The time to act is now,” he concluded.