“I Didn’t Tell Them To Go And Buy Votes” — Wike Defends ₦10m Reward For Councillors Who Deliver Wards For Tinubu In 2027

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended his promise to reward councillors who deliver their wards for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections with ₦10 million each, insisting that the initiative was intended to encourage political mobilisation and not vote-buying.

Wike dismissed criticisms surrounding the pledge, maintaining that he never directed councillors to use money to induce voters but challenged them to demonstrate commitment and work towards securing electoral victory for the President.

Speaking on Tuesday during an inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, the minister explained that the proposed reward was an incentive for hard work and successful 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,” Wike stated.

His clarification followed reactions to the announcement he made on Monday while addressing stakeholders, traditional rulers and political actors in Kwali Area Council.

During the meeting, Wike disclosed that the Rainbow Coalition had agreed to reward councillors who successfully delivered their wards for Tinubu as part of a broader mobilisation strategy ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

He explained that the initiative was designed to encourage councillors to engage political leaders, community stakeholders and other influential groups within their wards to strengthen support for the President.

“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 (I couldn’t say so when the president came because they gave me only two minutes to talk).

“But now that I have time to talk, let me say that the Rainbow Coalition all over the federation, as a form of mobilisation for Mr President to win this election, is saying that any councillor that delivers his ward will come and take N10 million.

“We want to mobilise for Mr President. So, go to your wards, and go and see your leaders. I know only you cannot do it, but we are using you as an instrumentality for your leaders.

“Go and meet your leaders and say, ‘Look, oh, there is something that has come.’ We must not allow this thing to go. Let’s dedicate our ward for Mr President’. So, that is for that,” Wike had said.

However, following criticism of the proposed financial reward, the minister insisted on Tuesday that his statement should not be interpreted as an invitation to buy votes.

He maintained that there was a distinction between offering financial inducements to voters in exchange for their support and rewarding political mobilisers for successfully delivering on assigned responsibilities.

To support his argument, Wike drew a comparison with sporting competitions, where athletes are sometimes promised houses or other benefits if they return from international tournaments with trophies.

He questioned why similar rewards for achieving targets in political activities should automatically be regarded as bribery.

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

According to him, political parties and candidates routinely spend money on advertisements and other campaign activities without attracting the same level of criticism.

He urged journalists to pay closer attention to the difference between financial inducements intended to influence voters and rewards promised to individuals for meeting political mobilisation targets.

Wike maintained that effective political mobilisation should be based on commitment, performance and the ability to persuade voters rather than the purchase of electoral support.

Meanwhile, the minister also provided updates on the infrastructure projects he inspected in Abuja, expressing satisfaction with the progress of work on Interchange Section 2 (ISEX 2), the Southern Parkway and the S1 Road, which incorporates a fire station.

He disclosed that the projects were on course for completion by December 15, 2026, ahead of the general elections scheduled to begin on January 16, 2027.

Wike argued that infrastructure development undertaken by President Tinubu’s administration would provide a strong basis for the government’s re-election campaign.

He maintained that Nigerians would be able to assess the administration’s performance through the projects and programmes delivered during its tenure.

The minister further explained that his support for Tinubu was driven by his commitment to development rather than political party affiliation.

He urged Nigerians who genuinely desired national progress to support policies and programmes aimed at improving infrastructure and promoting development.

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