The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has refuted allegations of vote-buying, clarifying that his promised ₦10 million reward for councillors who deliver their electoral wards for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections is a legitimate performance incentive for political mobilisation.
Speaking on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, during an inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, the minister responded to the widespread public criticism that followed his initial announcement.
Addressing journalists during the project inspection, Wike insisted that grassroots political mobilisers deserve rewards for hard work, comparing the post-election incentive to prizes awarded to successful athletes.
”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,'” Wike declared.
The minister accused sections of the media and political opponents of deliberately misinterpreting his statement and failing to distinguish between inducing voters and rewarding political operators. He questioned why rewarding athletes with houses or cash for winning international competitions is widely praised, whereas incentivising political workers for winning elections is viewed as corruption.
The controversy stems from statements made by Wike on Monday, November 9, 2026, during a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting held in Kwali Area Council, FCT.
The gathering brought together key local political figures and traditional institutions, including the Chairman of Kwali Area Council, Nuhu Daniel Kwali, and the Etsu of Kwali, HRH Luka Ayedoo Nizassan III, alongside former council chairmen, councillors, and political leaders drawn from across the six FCT area councils.
During the Monday meeting, Wike urged councillors to engage local leaders, youth groups, and community associations to secure a decisive victory for President Bola Tinubu and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates across the territory.
”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,” Wike had announced.
Reaffirming his commitment to President Tinubu’s administration, Wike stated that his primary motivation stems from tangible developmental achievements rather than partisan politics.
In addition to driving the President’s re-election campaign within the FCT, the minister threw his weight behind several key legislative bids, declaring full support for Senator Philip Aduda for the FCT Senate seat and Danladi Chiya for the Abuja South Federal Constituency seat.
Wike also addressed local administrative concerns raised by delegates at the Kwali meeting, revealing that he had formally directed the Permanent Secretary of the FCT Administration to review existing disparities in councillors’ salaries to ensure equity across all area councils in the territory.
