2027: Wike defends N10m reward for councillors, says offer is not vote-buying
by Adeola Balogun · The Eagle OnlineMinister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed allegations of vote-buying over his promise to reward councillors with N10 million each for delivering their respective wards for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Wike said the proposed reward was intended to encourage political mobilisation, commitment and hard work, insisting that he never directed councillors to use the money to induce voters or influence their electoral choices.
The minister clarified this on Tuesday while responding to questions from journalists during an inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja.
He argued that there was a clear distinction between rewarding political mobilisers for outstanding performance and offering money to voters to influence their choices at the polls.
He explained that he did not ask councillors to distribute money to voters or induce them to support any candidate, but challenged them to work hard, mobilise their constituencies and demonstrate commitment to their political cause.
“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.
Defending the promise, Wike likened the proposed reward to incentives given to athletes who win international competitions, noting that such offers were designed to motivate individuals to achieve set targets.
He questioned why promising rewards to political mobilisers for delivering results should be interpreted as bribery when similar incentives were routinely offered in sports and other fields.
The FCT minister also criticised sections of the media for what he described as an inconsistent interpretation of political rewards and vote-buying.
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He argued that while media organisations collect substantial sums for political advertisements, little attention is paid to the sources of such payments, whereas promises of rewards for political performance are subjected to intense criticism.
Wike maintained that vote-buying involved giving voters money in exchange for their votes, insisting that his promise to councillors did not fall into that category.
He said political mobilisation should be assessed based on the intention behind the offer and the conditions attached to it.
Meanwhile, the minister expressed satisfaction with the progress of ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, including Interchange Section 2 (ISEX 2), Southern Parkway and S1 Road, which incorporates a fire station.
He said the projects were among several infrastructure initiatives scheduled for completion by December 15, ahead of the January 16, 2027 general elections.
Wike said the infrastructure achievements recorded under President Bola Tinubu’s administration would provide a strong basis for its re-election campaign, adding that his support for the President was driven by development rather than political party affiliation.
He maintained that Nigerians who genuinely desire the country’s progress should support policies and programmes aimed at national development.
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