The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has defended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his promise to give N10 million to councillors who deliver their political wards for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
Yilwatda argued that Wike’s promise does not amount to vote buying, insisting that the reward would come after the election and the completion of the necessary legal processes.
He explained that offering money before an election to influence voters would amount to vote buying, but rewarding political efforts after the process is concluded is different.
Wike had made the N10 million promise during a meeting with members of the Rainbow Coalition in Kwali Area Council, Abuja, where he urged councillors to work towards securing victory for Tinubu in their respective wards in 2027.
He urged councillors to mobilise residents, youth groups and community associations to secure victory for the APC in their respective wards, Channels Television reported.
“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.
The minister also endorsed Tinubu’s re-election bid, alongside former Senate Minority Leader, Philip Aduda, and former Kwali Area Council Chairman, Danladi Chiya.
During the meeting, Wike criticised opposition figures over their reactions to court rulings and defended the distribution of vehicles to first-class traditional rulers in the FCT.
He criticised opposition figures who condemned judicial decisions after losing cases, citing the ruling that voided the ticket of the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The minister said opposition politicians praised the judiciary when court decisions favoured them but questioned its credibility when rulings went against them.
“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.
His N10 million pledge has drawn attention to the role of financial incentives in political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general election and many question if the motive behind it is harmless or will inadvertently have an effect on the upcoming elections.
