The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended his promise of a ₦10 million reward to councillors who deliver their wards in the 2027 general elections, insisting the initiative was an incentive for hard work rather than an inducement for vote-buying.
“I didn’t tell them, ‘Take this money and go and buy votes,’” Wike said. “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.’”
The minister spoke on Tuesday during an inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, pushing back against criticism trailing the announcement.
Addressing stakeholders, traditional leaders, and political actors in the Kwali Area Council a day earlier, Wike had explained that the reward scheme was part of a grassroots mobilisation strategy by the Rainbow Coalition to rally support for President Bola Tinubu.
“Anybody who delivers his ward will come and take ₦10 million,” Wike had told the gathering. “We want to mobilise for Mr. President. So, go to your wards, and go and see your leaders. I know only you cannot do it, but we are using you as an instrumentality for your leaders… Let’s dedicate our ward for Mr. President.”
Clarifying his remarks on Tuesday, Wike drew a distinction between rewarding political performance and offering money directly to voters at the polls. He likened the arrangement to athletes being promised houses or cash bonuses for winning medals at international competitions, asking why a similar reward system in politics should be misconstrued as bribery.
The minister also faulted sections of the media for failing to differentiate between legitimate political incentives and vote-buying, noting that parties and candidates routinely spend funds on campaign logistics without facing the same scrutiny. He urged journalists to focus on the intent behind campaign spending rather than blurring the lines between financial inducements and performance-based rewards.
Turning to governance, Wike expressed satisfaction with the pace of ongoing infrastructure projects in the nation’s capital, including Interchange Section 2 (ISEX 2), the Southern Parkway, and the S1 Road, which features a fire station.
He assured that the projects remain on track for completion by December 15, well ahead of the general elections scheduled for January 2027, adding that the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure delivery would serve as a formidable platform for its re-election bid.
