Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended his proposed N10 million reward for councillors who deliver their wards in support of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the offer is not vote-buying.
Wike said the reward was intended to encourage political mobilisation and commitment, not to induce voters to support a particular candidate.
The minister made the clarification on Tuesday during an inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, amid criticism over his promise to pay councillors who successfully mobilise support in their respective wards.
He dismissed the allegations of vote-buying, arguing that rewarding political mobilisers for achieving set targets was different from giving money to voters in exchange for their ballots.
“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.
Wike likened the proposed incentive to rewards offered to athletes who win international competitions, noting that promises of houses and other benefits were often used to motivate sporting excellence.
He questioned why similar performance-based incentives in politics should be interpreted as bribery, arguing that the distinction between rewarding commitment and inducing voters should be clear.
The minister also accused sections of the media of failing to make the distinction, citing campaign advertisements and other political expenditures that he said were not subjected to similar scrutiny.
He urged journalists to focus on differentiating between financial inducements intended to influence voters and rewards for political mobilisation.
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During the inspection tour, Wike also expressed satisfaction with the progress of ongoing projects, including Interchange Section 2 (ISEX 2), Southern Parkway and S1 Road, which includes a fire station.
He said the projects were scheduled for completion by December 15, ahead of the January 16, 2027 general elections, adding that the infrastructure development under Tinubu’s administration would strengthen its re-election campaign.
Wike maintained that his support for Tinubu was based on the administration’s development record rather than party affiliation, urging Nigerians who desire national progress to support its policies and programmes.
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