Wike’s Aide Responds to Peter Obi Over Passport Fee Hike

Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has responded to Peter Obi’s criticism of the recent increase in international passport fees.

The Federal Government recently announced new passport charges: ₦100,000 for a 32 page booklet and ₦200,000 for a 64 page booklet.

Reacting, Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State, argued that the new passport cost was higher than Nigeria’s minimum wage, making it unfair to citizens.

But in a post on X (formerly Twitter), Olayinka countered Obi, saying the cost of an international passport has never been lower than the minimum wage in Nigeria.

He also questioned Obi’s position, asking:
“Was there ever a time in Nigeria that the cost of an international passport was less than the minimum wage? And is an international passport part of the cost of living anywhere in the world?”