ABUJA — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has pledged a ₦10 million ($6,600) cash reward to every local councillor who successfully delivers their electoral ward to President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the January 2027 general elections.
Wike announced the incentive on Monday during a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting in Kwali Area Council, urging local political leaders, youth groups, and community associations to mobilize voters across the territory.
“Any councillor that delivers his ward will get N10 million reward,” Wike said. “Go and meet your leaders, go and meet your youth groups, and go and consult with associations. Let’s deliver our ward to Mr. President.”
During the gathering, the minister also publicly endorsed Senator Philip Aduda for the FCT Senate seat and Danladi Chiya for the Abuja South Federal Constituency seat.
Dismissal of opposition claims and judicial hypocrisy
Addressing regional political tensions, Wike accused opposition figures of maintaining double standards over judicial decisions, highlighting reactions to the recent court verdict that voided the presidential candidacy of African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Atiku Abubakar.
Wike argued that opposition leaders praise the judiciary when rulings favor them but accuse the administration of using the courts to undermine democracy when decisions go against their interests.
“When it is good for you, the judiciary is clear. When it is bad, you claim they are using it to destroy democracy,” Wike stated. “What kind of system are we operating?”
Defense of monarch SUVs and infrastructure achievements
The minister also defended his administration’s policy of providing official Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to first-class traditional rulers in the FCT, rejecting claims by political commentators that the vehicles constituted political inducement or bribery.
Wike insisted that traditional leaders deserve dignity, questioning why critics object to royal fathers receiving appropriate transport while routine government aides ride in luxury vehicles.
Highlighting government interventions across satellite towns, Wike cited ongoing infrastructure projects—including more than 270 kilometers of roads, with 95 kilometers executed in Kwali alone—scheduled for inauguration in December.
He further pointed to structural reforms under the Tinubu administration, such as establishing the FCT Civil Service Commission, granting financial autonomy to local area councils, and promising to review local councillors’ monthly salaries following administrative appeals.
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