Wike Offers N10m to Councillors to Support APC in 2027 Elections

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has promised N10 million to each councillor who successfully delivers their ward for President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress candidates in the 2027 general elections.

Wike made this pledge during a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders' meeting held in Kwali Area Council on Monday. The meeting had traditional rulers, political figures, and local residents in attendance.

He urged councillors to rally their communities and groups to ensure the APC wins in their wards, as reported by Channels TV. "Any councillor that delivers his ward will get N10 million reward. Therefore, go and meet your leaders, go and meet your youth groups, go and consult with associations. Let’s deliver our ward to Mr President," he stated.

The minister also expressed his support for Tinubu's re-election and endorsed Senator Philip Aduda for the FCT Senate seat, as well as Danladi Chiya for the Abuja South Federal Constituency.

"I don’t need to preach to you any longer. The one you are seeing is what you follow, not the one that will give you unfulfilled promises. I will go to sleep tonight because I know Kwali, Gwagwalada, and Abaji are 100 percent for APC," Wike said.

Wike criticized opposition parties and leaders for their double standards regarding court rulings. He pointed out that some opposition figures condemned court decisions while supporting others depending on the outcome.

He mentioned the judicial ruling that voided the ticket of the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. Wike highlighted the conflicting views of the opposition on court decisions, saying, "When ADC had a matter in court and won at the Supreme Court, they said, 'The court is the last hope,' 'The court has saved democracy,' and 'We know our judiciary will not fail us.'

"But when they lost a court case, it became: 'The President is using the court to fight the opposition.' When it is good for you, the judiciary is clear. When it is bad, you claim they are using it to destroy democracy. What kind of system are we operating?" Wike asked.

He defended his policy of giving new Sport Utility Vehicles to first-class traditional rulers in the FCT, which has faced criticism. Wike dismissed claims that the vehicles were bribes, insisting that traditional rulers deserve respect.

"You want a first-class traditional ruler to be walking on the road with a stick in hand, taking public buses so they can get hit by a car one day? But you expect Chief Press Secretaries to Governors, Chairmen, and Presidents to ride SUVs?" he questioned.

Wike stated that critics should support positive initiatives instead of twisting them. He emphasized, "We will provide for our traditional rulers, and nothing will come out of their complaints."

He also mentioned that the administration has completed over 270 kilometers of roads across the FCT satellite towns, with 95 kilometers in Kwali alone. He assured that ongoing road projects would be finished by December.

Wike noted that the Rainbow Coalition is working for the benefit of FCT residents, stating that its grassroots structure is bridging political divides for better representation and development. "The kind of decision the President is taking is not one that other politicians will take, bringing us out from the shadow into reality, and that is what a good leader should be able to do for his people," he said.

He compared Tinubu's government to previous ones, mentioning the creation of the FCT Civil Service Commission, an FCT Head of Service, financial independence for area councils, and infrastructure improvements in satellite towns as achievements.

Wike lamented the historical neglect of the FCT, saying that despite having a population of six to seven million, the territory only has one Senate seat and two House of Representatives seats. "For 50 years, nobody could remember you. The President has changed the narrative, given you your own civil service, allowed you to employ your people, and elevated your traditional stools. You cannot afford to make a mistake in 2027," he warned.

Additionally, Wike promised to review the salaries of FCT councillors after a complaint from the Chairman of the National Councillors Forum of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, Gambo Hamza. Hamza stated that councillors receive N260,000 as monthly salaries and asked Wike to intervene.

In his comments, the APC Chairman in the FCT, Ishaku Yamawo, praised Wike for uniting political stakeholders across party lines and promoting development in the territory. The Peoples Democratic Party chairman, Mohammed Dogara, also thanked Wike for his contributions and assured support for Tinubu's re-election.

Aliyu Baka, speaking for Rainbow Coalition stakeholders in the FCT, expressed regret over past electoral mistakes and said the coalition is ready to ensure victory for its candidates and Tinubu in 2027.