BY AHMED AKANBI And Wumi Oyehan
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Nyesom Wike, has explained that his promise to reward councillors who successfully mobilise support and deliver their respective wards for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections is an incentive for hard work and not an attempt to buy votes.
This was even as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, has defended the N10 million reward promised by Wike to councillors as a motivation.
Wike, who spoke on Tuesday, made the clarification during an inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, where he dismissed criticisms trailing the promise, arguing that there was a clear distinction between rewarding political commitment and offering money to voters in exchange for their support.
”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,” he said.
Wike maintained that he never asked the councillors to give money to voters or induce them to vote for a particular candidate, but challenged them to demonstrate commitment through effective mobilisation.
“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,’” he said.
In his defence for Wike, Yilwatda, who spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today, said the money is intended to motivate councillors, and will be paid after the election, once the result has been established.
“He was speaking to the FCT councillors in the forum, and I’m sure it’s addressing something about 62 or 60-something councillors in the FCT,” he said.
Asked whether the offer amounted to voter inducement, Yilwatda rejected the suggestion, arguing that political parties routinely provide funds for mobilisation.
“Which political party doesn’t release money for mobilisation? Which political party? So, tell me one. No, it’s not for votes. The same reward for you to deliver Tinubu in your ward,” he said.
Yilwatda compared the offer to rewarding students for academic achievement, but maintained that the timing of the payment was significant.
“The money is not given before the election. It doesn’t matter? No, it matters. It matters because if the money is given after the election has been concluded and the winner has been declared and there’s nothing at stake again — if the court has proven and all the legal rules have been followed — that you legally deliver your ward by giving you N10 million,” he said.
Asked again whether he considered the offer vote-buying, Yilwatda replied authoritatively: “Never.”
Wike made the pledge at a political meeting in Kwali Area Council, promising N10 million to each councillor who delivers his ward for Tinubu and the APC in 2027.
Asked whether the APC would return Godswill Akpabio as Senate President if he wins re-election, Yilwatda said the decision would rest with senators.
“Let’s wait for the election first. I don’t have anybody in mind. The Senate will determine who they want to make the Senate President,” he said.
On reports of electoral violence ahead of the 2027 elections, Yilwatda said he sympathised with anyone injured and said the APC supports free and fair elections.
“If anybody is injured by anybody across the country, I’m sure it shouldn’t be by APC supporters. I pity anybody who is being injured, and I sympathise with them. Our party stands for free and fair elections,” he said.