 |
| ederal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike. File photograph. |
Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has rejected accusations of vote-buying over his promise to pay councillors ₦10 million each if they secure victory for President Bola Tinubu in their wards during the 2027 elections.
Responding to journalists during an inspection of construction projects in Abuja on Tuesday, 10 November, Wike argued that the proposed payments would reward political work. He maintained that he had not instructed councillors to distribute money to voters.
“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.
The minister announced the offer a day earlier at a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting in Kwali Area Council, where traditional rulers, political representatives and residents gathered. His media aide, Lere Olayinka, subsequently confirmed the pledge to TheCable.
At that meeting, Wike urged councillors to approach community leaders, youth groups and associations to build support for Tinubu. He also endorsed Philip Aduda for the FCT Senate seat and Danladi Chiya for the Abuja South Federal Constituency.
In his response to criticism on Tuesday, Wike compared the arrangement with incentives offered to athletes before international competitions. He argued that promises of houses and other benefits encouraged athletes to perform, questioning why a reward tied to political mobilisation should attract allegations of bribery.
He said councillors needed to demonstrate their commitment by persuading residents to support their preferred candidates and producing results at the polls.
Wike also criticised sections of the media over their treatment of the offer. He argued that journalists should distinguish between payments promised to political organisers for their work and money offered directly to voters in exchange for electoral support.
He cited spending on campaign advertisements as another form of political expenditure, questioning why parties and candidates could pay for publicity while his proposed reward attracted accusations of vote-buying, Independent reported.
During the inspection, Wike reviewed work on the ISEX 2 road project, Southern Parkway and S1 Road, which includes a fire station. He expressed satisfaction with construction progress and said contractors were working towards completion by 15 December.
The minister placed that deadline ahead of the general elections scheduled to begin on 16 January 2027. He argued that infrastructure delivered under Tinubu’s administration would give supporters a record on which to campaign for the President’s re-election.
Wike said development, rather than party membership, informed his support for Tinubu. He urged Nigerians to support government policies and projects on the basis of their contribution to the country’s progress.