Wike Offers N10m to Councillors Who Deliver Wards in 2027 Elections

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

Wike made this promise during a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting. The meeting took place in Kwali Area Council on Monday and had traditional rulers, political stakeholders, and residents in attendance.

He encouraged councillors to gather support from residents and community groups. The goal is to ensure victory for the APC 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 said.

Wike also declared his support for Tinubu’s re-election. He endorsed Senator Philip Aduda for the FCT Senate seat and 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.

He accused opposition parties and political figures of being hypocritical about their reactions to court rulings. Wike criticized those who condemned judicial decisions, mentioning the case that voided the ticket of the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Wike noted that the opposition's views on the judiciary changed depending on whether the outcomes favored them or not. He pointed out how the ADC praised the courts when they won but complained when they lost.

“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 questioned.

The minister defended his policy of giving brand-new Sport Utility Vehicles to first-class traditional rulers in the FCT. This decision has faced criticism from some political commentators.

Wike dismissed claims that the vehicles were bribes. He believes traditional rulers deserve respect and dignity.

“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?

“Instead of using their platforms to support good things, critics turn it upside down. We will provide for our traditional rulers, and nothing will come out of their complaints,” he said.

Wike mentioned that his administration has completed infrastructure projects across the FCT satellite towns. This includes building over 270 kilometres of roads, with 95 kilometres finished in Kwali.

He said the ongoing road projects in the satellite towns are almost done and will be inaugurated in December.

Wike added that the Rainbow Coalition is working for the benefit of FCT residents. Its grassroots structure aims to bridge political gaps to promote 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.

Comparing Tinubu’s government to past administrations, Wike highlighted achievements like the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission and the appointment of an FCT Head of Service.

He lamented the long-standing marginalization of the FCT. Despite having a population of six to seven million, the territory has only 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,” Wike warned.

Wike also spoke about the salaries of FCT councillors. This came after a complaint from Gambo Hamza, the Chairman of the National Councillors Forum of Nigeria, FCT Chapter.

Hamza said councillors in the territory receive N260,000 as monthly salaries and asked the minister to help.

Ishaku Yamawo, the APC Chairman in the FCT, praised Wike for uniting political stakeholders and promoting development in the territory.

Mohammed Dogara, his counterpart in the Peoples Democratic Party, also thanked Wike for his work in the FCT. He assured Wike of strong support for Tinubu’s re-election.

Aliyu Baka, speaking for Rainbow Coalition stakeholders in the FCT, expressed regret over the coalition’s electoral mistakes in 2023. He confirmed that they are ready to ensure victory for their candidates and Tinubu in 2027.