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Wike Defends N10m Reward For Councillors, Says Offer Is Not Vote-Buying
Wike Defends N10m Reward For Councillors, Says Offer Is Not Vote-Buying
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended his proposed ₦10 million reward for councillors who deliver their respective wards for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, dismissing allegations that the offer amounts to vote-buying.
Wike said the proposed reward was intended to encourage political mobilisation, commitment and hard work, insisting that he never directed councillors to use the money to induce voters or influence their electoral choices.
The minister stated this on Tuesday during an inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, where he responded to criticisms trailing his recent promise to reward councillors who successfully mobilise support for Tinubu in their respective wards.
He argued that rewarding political actors for achieving set targets was fundamentally different from offering financial inducements to voters in exchange for their votes.
“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,’” Wike said.
To reinforce his argument, the minister drew comparisons with incentives offered to Nigerian athletes who win international competitions, noting that governments and individuals often promise houses and other benefits to encourage sporting excellence.
He questioned why similar reward arrangements in Politics should be interpreted as bribery when they were intended to recognise commitment and performance.
Wike also faulted sections of the media for what he described as a failure to distinguish between political rewards and vote-buying, arguing that the two should not be treated as the same.
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He challenged journalists to scrutinise the circumstances surrounding political financial incentives rather than automatically interpreting every promise of reward as an attempt to compromise the electoral process.
The minister further questioned why political parties and candidates routinely spend substantial sums on campaign advertisements and other mobilisation activities without attracting the same level of criticism.
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He maintained that political mobilisation should be driven by the ability of party leaders and elected representatives to convince voters through engagement, persuasion and a demonstration of commitment.
Wike’s comments come amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections and controversy surrounding his proposal to reward councillors who secure victory for Tinubu in their respective wards across the FCT.
Meanwhile, speaking during the inspection tour, the minister expressed satisfaction with the progress of ongoing infrastructure projects, including Interchange Section 2 (ISEX 2), the Southern Parkway and the S1 Road, which also incorporates a fire station.
He disclosed that the projects were progressing according to schedule and were expected to be completed by December 15, ahead of the January 16, 2027 general elections.
According to him, the infrastructure projects being executed by the FCT Administration would further demonstrate the achievements of President Tinubu’s administration and provide a strong basis for its re-election campaign.
Wike reiterated that his support for the President was not necessarily based on party affiliation but on his conviction that the administration was delivering development.
He stressed that Nigerians who genuinely desire progress should support policies and programmes capable of driving infrastructure development and improving the lives of citizens.
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