The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has denied asking councillors to use the N10 million reward he promised them to buy votes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike said the money was intended to reward councillors who demonstrate commitment by mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu and delivering their wards during the election.
He spoke on Tuesday while inspecting ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, amid criticism of his promise to pay N10 million to each councillor who delivers their ward for Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“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.
At a meeting with stakeholders, traditional rulers and political actors in Kwali Area Council on Monday, the minister had described the offer as part of a grassroots mobilisation strategy under the Rainbow Coalition.
He challenged councillors to work with political leaders in their wards to secure support for the President, promising N10 million to those who successfully delivered their wards.
Wike said the initiative was designed to mobilise support for Tinubu across the country, starting with the FCT.
Defending the arrangement on Tuesday, he maintained that rewarding political mobilisation was different from giving voters money in exchange for their support.
He argued that councillors were being challenged to prove their commitment through effective mobilisation rather than offering money directly to voters.
To support his argument, Wike compared the proposed reward to incentives given to athletes who win trophies at international competitions.
He questioned why a similar reward in politics should automatically be considered bribery.
The minister also criticised sections of the media for allegedly failing to distinguish between legitimate rewards and vote buying.
He argued that political parties and candidates routinely spend money on campaign advertisements without attracting similar criticism.
Wike urged journalists to examine the difference between financial inducements offered to voters and rewards given to political mobilisers for achieving set targets.
On the infrastructure projects he inspected, the minister expressed satisfaction with the progress of Interchange Section 2 (ISEX 2), the Southern Parkway and the S1 Road, which includes a fire station.
He said the projects were on course for completion by December 15, ahead of the January 16, 2027 general elections.
According to him, the infrastructure record of President 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 want progress should support policies and programmes aimed at national development.
