Wike’s Controversial N10m Reward to Councillors in FCT

That the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is the most active politician ahead of the 2027 general election is not in doubt. 

The minister is doing everything possible to ensure that he delivers the FCT and his Rivers State to President Bola Tinubu, no matter what it takes.

Last week, the minister demonstrated this when he promised N10million reward to any councillor in the FCT who delivers his ward to President Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the election.

Wike, who made the promise during a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting attended by traditional rulers, political stakeholders and residents in Kwali Area Council, urged councillors to mobilise residents and community groups to secure victory for the APC in their respective ward.

A day after he made the comment, the minister dismissed criticisms trailing the promise, insisting that the offer was an incentive for hard work and not an attempt to buy votes. He argued that there was a clear distinction between rewarding political commitment and offering money to voters in exchange for their support.

But many analysts believe his action was a clear case of vote-buying and clear breach of Section 125 of the Electoral Act, 2026.

They argue that vote-buying does not necessarily take place only during the elections. It can also be activities before, during and after elections.

 When councillors are promised such an amount of money ahead of the polls, they would do everything possible to ensure that they deliver their wards, which is an act of inducement.

When President Donald Trump offered $5,000 to each US voter to ensure the Republicans win both houses of the USA congress, the good people of America knew it was undemocratic and overwhelmingly rejected that Greek gift to vote for Democrats.

Wike has not concealed his desperation to ensure that Tinubu wins in 2027. To show the real reason for his desperation, he has told Nigerians that if Atiku of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress wins the 2027 election, he would be in trouble, as they would come after him.

 It is therefore not surprising that he is ready to do everything possible to ensure that none of them is victorious.