Abuja, Nigeria, The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has publicly defended his pledge of N10 million to councillors who successfully deliver their wards to President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the 2027 general elections. Wike insists the financial incentive is a reward for diligent political mobilization and commitment, not an inducement for vote-buying.
Addressing the controversy, Wike clarified his statement, emphasizing that he did not instruct councillors to offer money to voters. Instead, he urged them to demonstrate dedication through effective grassroots political engagement. “I didn’t tell them, ‘Take this money and go and buy votes.’ I said, ‘Go and work. Show commitment. Demonstrate that you really mean what you are talking about. When you win, come and we are going to reward you,’” Wike stated, a position echoed by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, on Tuesday following an infrastructure project inspection.
Distinguishing Incentives from Inducements
The minister argued that providing rewards to political strategists for achieving set electoral targets differs fundamentally from bribing voters to sway their choices. He drew a parallel to the world of sports, where athletes receive substantial incentives, such as houses and other benefits, for winning competitions. Wike questioned why similar motivational offers in politics should automatically be labelled as bribery, while analogous rewards for athletic prowess are widely accepted as encouraging hard work.
Wike also voiced criticism against certain media outlets, accusing them of failing to differentiate between legitimate political rewards and outright vote-buying. He pointed out that political parties and candidates routinely spend significant sums on campaign advertisements without facing the same level of scrutiny, urging journalists to distinguish between direct financial inducements to influence voters and recognition for effective political mobilization efforts.
The Initial Promise and Broader Vision
The FCT Minister’s defense comes after his announcement at a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting held in the Kwali Area Council on Monday. At the gathering, Wike explicitly promised, “Any councillor that delivers his ward will get N10 million reward. Therefore, go and meet your leaders, go and meet your youth groups, go and consult with associations. Let’s deliver our ward to Mr President.” He had tasked the councillors with mobilizing residents and community organizations to secure victory for the APC in their respective areas.
Beyond the political discourse, Wike’s statements were made during an inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects across Abuja. He expressed satisfaction with the progress of key developments, including Interchange Section 2 (ISEX 2), the Southern Parkway, and S1 Road, which notably features a new fire station. The minister confirmed that these projects are on track for completion by December 15, asserting that the tangible infrastructure achievements of President Tinubu’s administration will form a robust foundation for its re-election campaign.
Wike underscored that his steadfast support for the Tinubu administration is driven by a commitment to national development, rather than mere party affiliation. He called on all Nigerians who aspire for progress to actively support policies and programs geared towards advancing the nation’s development agenda.