The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has promised to reward councillors with N10 million each if they secure victory for President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in their respective wards in the 2027 general elections.
Wike announced the incentive on Monday at a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting in Kwali Area Council, where traditional rulers, political stakeholders and residents gathered.
Addressing the participants, the minister urged councillors to intensify grassroots mobilisation by engaging community leaders, youth groups and associations to secure electoral support for the APC.
“Any councillor that delivers his ward will get N10 million reward. Therefore, go and meet your leaders, go and meet your youth groups, and consult with associations. Let’s deliver our ward to Mr President,” he said.
Wike also reaffirmed his support for Tinubu’s re-election bid, urging FCT residents to support candidates of the APC in the 2027 elections.
He specifically endorsed Philip Aduda for the FCT Senate seat and Danladi Chiya for the Abuja South Federal Constituency seat.
The minister expressed confidence that Kwali, Gwagwalada and Abaji would support the APC, attributing the expected backing to infrastructure projects and administrative reforms under the Tinubu administration.
He said the Federal Government had constructed more than 270 kilometres of roads across the FCT satellite towns, including 95 kilometres in Kwali Area Council.
According to him, the ongoing road projects are nearing completion and are expected to be inaugurated in December.
Wike also defended the provision of new sports utility vehicles (SUVs) to first-class traditional rulers in the FCT, dismissing criticisms that the gesture amounted to political inducement.
He argued that traditional rulers deserved official recognition and facilities that reflected their positions in society.
The minister further criticised opposition figures over their reactions to court judgments, accusing them of supporting the judiciary when rulings favoured them but questioning its credibility when decisions went against their interests.
He cited the Supreme Court's ruling in a case involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying opposition politicians had previously described the judiciary as the last hope of democracy when they secured favourable judgments.
Wike also highlighted what he described as achievements of the Tinubu administration in the FCT, including the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, the appointment of a Head of Service and the financial autonomy granted to area councils.
He said the reforms had addressed longstanding complaints about the territory's representation and administrative structure.
On the concerns of elected local representatives, Wike promised to examine the salaries of FCT councillors following an appeal by Gambo Hamza, chairman of the National Councillors Forum of Nigeria, FCT chapter.
Hamza had told the meeting that councillors in the territory earned N260,000 monthly and asked the minister to intervene.
Meanwhile, the FCT APC chairman, Ishaku Yamawo, commended Wike for bringing political stakeholders together across party lines.
The FCT Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman, Mohammed Dogara, also praised the minister and pledged support for Tinubu's re-election.
Speaking on behalf of Rainbow Coalition stakeholders, Aliyu Baka said the group regretted its political mistakes during the 2023 elections and was prepared to work for victory for its preferred candidates in 2027.
