Wike Denies Offering ₦10m To Councillors To Buy Votes, Says Reward Is For Mobilisation

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has denied asking councillors to use the ₦10m he promised them to buy votes ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the money is a reward for political commitment and effective grassroots 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.

Wike spoke on Tuesday during an inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, where he responded to criticism of his earlier promise to reward councillors who deliver their wards for President Bola Tinubu.

The minister had made the pledge on Monday while addressing stakeholders, traditional rulers and political actors in Kwali Area Council, describing it as part of a broader grassroots mobilisation strategy under the Rainbow Coalition.

He said the initiative was designed to secure maximum support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

“For the councillors, you have a task. I will hold a meeting with you again, and I will now say the way I am going to mobilise you, but I will give you a bet, like what is happening in the stars; it’s a competition.

“Anybody who delivers his ward, if you deliver your ward, that is what the Rainbow Coalition has decided to do as mobilisation and support for Mr President; we have to start in the FCT,” Wike had said.

He added that the coalition had agreed to give ₦10m to every councillor who successfully delivered their ward for Tinubu.

Explaining the arrangement, the minister urged councillors to engage political leaders in their respective wards and mobilise support for the President.

Speaking on Tuesday, Wike distinguished between rewarding political mobilisation and offering money directly to voters in exchange for their support.

He argued that the councillors were being challenged to demonstrate their commitment through effective political engagement and their ability to persuade voters.

To support his position, Wike compared the proposed reward to incentives given to athletes who are promised houses or other benefits for winning trophies at international competitions.

He questioned why similar rewards in politics should automatically be interpreted as bribery.

The minister also criticised sections of the media for what he described as a failure to distinguish legitimate rewards from vote-buying.

He argued that political parties and candidates routinely spend money on campaign advertisements without attracting similar criticism.

Wike urged journalists to pay closer attention to the difference between financial inducements intended to influence voters and rewards offered to political mobilisers for achieving set targets.

He maintained that political mobilisation should be based on commitment, performance and the ability to convince voters.

Wike Inspects Abuja Projects, Targets December Completion

On the infrastructure projects inspected, the minister expressed satisfaction with the progress of Interchange Section 2 (ISEX 2), the Southern Parkway and the S1 Road, which incorporates a fire station.

He said the projects were on course for completion by December 15, ahead of the general elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.

According to him, the infrastructure record of Tinubu’s administration would provide a strong basis for its re-election campaign.

Wike added that his support for the President was driven by development rather than party affiliation, arguing that Nigerians who genuinely desire progress should support policies and programmes aimed at national development.