The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has promised to give N10m to each councillor who delivers their political ward to President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Wike made the promise on Monday during a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting attended by traditional rulers, political stakeholders and residents in Kwali Area Council.
He urged councillors to mobilise residents, youth groups and community associations to secure victory for the APC in their respective wards.
“Any councillor that delivers his ward will get N10 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,” he said.
The minister also declared his support for Tinubu’s re-election and endorsed Senator Philip Aduda for the FCT Senate seat and Danladi Chiya for the Abuja South Federal Constituency seat.
Wike expressed confidence that the APC would win in Kwali, Gwagwalada and Abaji Area Councils.
“I don’t need to preach to you any longer. The one you are seeing is what you follow, not the one that will give you unfulfilled promises. I will go to sleep tonight because I know Kwali, Gwagwalada, and Abaji are 100 per cent for APC,” he said.
Wike criticises opposition
The FCT minister also accused opposition parties and political figures of double standards in their reactions to court decisions.
He referred to the legal dispute involving the African Democratic Congress and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, arguing that opposition figures praised the judiciary when rulings favoured them but accused the government of interference when decisions went against them.
“When ADC had a matter in court and won at the Supreme Court, they said, ‘The court is the last hope,’ ‘The court has saved democracy,’ and ‘We know our judiciary will not fail us.’
“But when they lost a court case, it became: ‘The President is using the court to fight the opposition.’ When it is good for you, the judiciary is clear. When it is bad, you claim they are using it to destroy democracy. What kind of system are we operating?” he asked.
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 criticism that the vehicles amounted to political inducements or bribes.
He argued that traditional rulers deserved respect and should not be expected to rely on public transport while carrying out their responsibilities.
“You want a first-class traditional ruler to be walking on the road with a stick in hand, taking public buses so they can get hit by a car one day? But you expect Chief Press Secretaries to Governors, Chairmen, and Presidents to ride SUVs?” he said.
He added that the government would continue to provide support for traditional rulers despite criticism.
Wike highlights FCT projects
The minister said the FCT administration had embarked on infrastructure projects across satellite towns, including the construction of more than 270 kilometres of roads, with 95 kilometres completed in Kwali.
He added that several ongoing road projects were nearing completion and would be inaugurated in December.
Wike also listed the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, appointment of an FCT Head of Service, financial autonomy for area councils and infrastructure development across satellite towns as some of the achievements of the Tinubu administration.
He lamented what he described as the long-standing marginalisation of the FCT, noting that the territory, with an estimated population of six to seven million people, had only one Senate seat and two House of Representatives seats.
“For 50 years, nobody could remember you. The President has changed the narrative, given you your own civil service, allowed you to employ your people, and elevated your traditional stools. You cannot afford to make a mistake in 2027,” he said.
Wike also promised to look into the salaries of FCT councillors after the Chairman of the National Councillors Forum of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, Gambo Hamza, complained that they earned N260,000 monthly.
In their remarks, the APC Chairman in the FCT, Ishaku Yamawo, commended Wike for bringing political stakeholders together and promoting development in the territory.
His Peoples Democratic Party counterpart, Mohammed Dogara, also thanked the minister for his work in the FCT and pledged support for Tinubu’s re-election.
Similarly, Aliyu Baka, who spoke on behalf of Rainbow Coalition stakeholders in the FCT, said the group regretted what he described as its electoral mistakes in 2023 and was prepared to work towards victory for its candidates and Tinubu in 2027.
