The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended his promise to give ₦10 million to councillors who deliver their respective wards for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, insisting that the offer is a reward for political mobilisation rather than an attempt to buy votes.
Wike maintained that he never instructed the councillors to use the money to induce voters, explaining that his expectation was for them to demonstrate political commitment, engage residents and persuade eligible voters to support Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The minister made the clarification on Tuesday while inspecting ongoing infrastructure projects across Abuja, where he addressed criticisms trailing his financial pledge to the councillors.
According to Wike, the proposed financial reward is intended to encourage political participation and recognise the efforts of grassroots political leaders who successfully mobilise support for the President.
He challenged the councillors to intensify their engagement with residents and work towards securing political victories in their respective wards, stressing that they must demonstrate their ability to deliver results rather than merely make promises.
The former Rivers State governor maintained that his statement had been misunderstood by critics, arguing that rewarding political supporters for their efforts should not automatically be interpreted as an attempt to influence voters with money.
The controversy surrounding the pledge has generated questions about the distinction between political mobilisation and financial inducement, particularly as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike’s comments come amid increasing political manoeuvring within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and efforts by supporters of President Tinubu to strengthen the party’s grassroots structures ahead of the next electoral contest.
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The minister has remained an influential figure in Nigerian politics since his appointment as FCT minister, particularly following his decision to support Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election despite belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
His latest declaration is expected to attract further political reactions as opposition figures and other stakeholders continue to scrutinise campaign activities and the conduct of political actors ahead of the 2027 elections.
While Wike insists that the ₦10 million pledge is strictly a reward for political mobilisation, the development has renewed discussions about the role of financial incentives in Nigeria’s electoral process.
