The recent virality of images allegedly depicting Governor Nyesom Wike in an outfit costing one million Naira has sparked uproar across the country. Photos of Wike at what seems like a public function have gone viral on social media. He is wearing a very expensive suit.
Amid the country's economic woes, citizens have flocked to various venues to voice their differing perspectives on whether or not such extravagant spending by public authorities is appropriate. Some see Wike's decision as an expression of his own taste and flair, while others see it as a sign of his callousness toward the suffering of average Nigerians.
Political scientists argue that these kinds of events call attention to larger problems with government openness and accountability, and they call for a closer look at how the government spends taxpayer money. Social equality, government ethics, and the duty of elected officials to be fiscally prudent are some of the topics that this debate has and will continue to spark. In light of the outpouring of responses, the incident is a sobering reminder of the knotty interplay between money, politics, and public opinion. Below are some responses from Nigerians on social media following the photo's release; some have claimed it cost 4.5 million, while others have claimed it doesn't deserve that price. Others justified Wike's choice of clothing, arguing that he is neither the poor type nor an ineffectual politician.
Looking at the price tag—£1499, or almost the same as a Nigerian dollar—it's clear this is an expensive piece of clothing. Leave a comment down below.