…Promises cash reward for wards delivered to Tinubu, APC
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stirred political controversy ahead of the 2027 general elections after promising councillors in the territory ₦10 million each for delivering their respective wards to President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates.
Wike made the promise on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting of the Rainbow Coalition in Kwali Area Council, Abuja, where he charged councillors to intensify grassroots mobilisation and secure electoral victory for the APC.
Addressing political stakeholders, traditional rulers and residents at the gathering, the minister urged councillors to engage community leaders, youth groups and associations to strengthen the party’s electoral structure.
“Any councillor that delivers his ward will get ₦10 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,” Wike declared.
The minister also reaffirmed his support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition, while endorsing Senator Philip Aduda for the FCT Senate seat and Danladi Chiya for the Abuja South Federal Constituency.
Expressing confidence in the APC’s prospects, Wike predicted overwhelming support for the party in Kwali, Gwagwalada and Abaji Area Councils.
“I will go to sleep tonight because I know Kwali, Gwagwalada and Abaji are 100 per cent for APC,” he said.
Wike tackles opposition over judicial verdicts
The former Rivers State governor also criticised opposition political figures over what he described as inconsistent reactions to judicial decisions.
He accused opposition politicians of celebrating the judiciary when court judgments favoured them but questioning its credibility whenever rulings went against their interests.
Citing the controversy surrounding the judicial decision involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket, Wike argued that the opposition’s position on the judiciary appeared to depend on the outcome of individual cases.
He questioned why some political actors described the judiciary as the last hope of democracy when they secured favourable judgments but accused the Federal Government of manipulating the courts when they lost.
Defends SUVs for traditional rulers
Wike also defended the FCT administration’s decision to provide brand-new Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to first-class traditional rulers, dismissing criticisms that the gesture amounted to political inducement.
According to him, traditional institutions deserve recognition, dignity and adequate support because of their roles in maintaining peace and promoting development at the grassroots.
He questioned why critics would oppose the provision of official vehicles for traditional rulers while expecting government officials to enjoy similar privileges.
The minister insisted that the administration would continue supporting traditional institutions despite the criticisms.
Lists infrastructure achievements
Highlighting the achievements of the FCT administration, Wike disclosed that more than 270 kilometres of roads had been constructed across satellite towns, including 95 kilometres in Kwali Area Council.
He added that several ongoing road projects were nearing completion and would be inaugurated in December.
The minister also identified the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, appointment of an FCT Head of Service, financial autonomy for area councils and improved infrastructure as major achievements of the Tinubu administration in the territory.
He lamented what he described as decades of marginalisation of FCT residents, arguing that the territory’s population of between six and seven million people deserved greater political representation.
Wike urged residents to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, insisting that the administration had taken steps to address longstanding challenges facing the territory.
Councillors seek salary increase
Meanwhile, the minister promised to look into the salary concerns of FCT councillors following an appeal by the Chairman of the National Councillors Forum of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, Gambo Hamza.
Hamza had disclosed that councillors in the territory received ₦260,000 monthly and appealed to Wike to intervene.
The APC Chairman in the FCT, Ishaku Yamawo, commended the minister for bringing political stakeholders together across party lines.
Similarly, the FCT Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mohammed Dogara, praised Wike’s performance and pledged support for Tinubu’s re-election.
Speaking on behalf of Rainbow Coalition stakeholders, Aliyu Baka expressed regret over what he described as the coalition’s electoral mistakes in 2023, declaring its readiness to mobilise support for the APC and its candidates in 2027.
The latest political mobilisation underscores Wike’s growing involvement in the APC’s grassroots campaign structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.