The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has openly offered N10 million in cash inducements to councillors who deliver their respective wards for President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Wike made the offer during a stakeholders’ meeting of the Rainbow Coalition in Kwali Area Council, Abuja, where he addressed councillors and other political stakeholders.
The minister declared that any councillor who successfully delivers his or her ward for Tinubu would receive N10 million.
The offer has raised questions about the use of financial inducements to secure political support ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly as the money is being promised in exchange for delivering electoral results.
Wike urged the councillors to intensify grassroots mobilisation and work towards securing support for Tinubu and APC candidates across their communities.
He also expressed confidence in the coalition’s political strength, particularly in Kwali, Gwagwalada and Abaji Area Councils.
At the meeting, Wike endorsed former senator Philip Aduda for the FCT Senate seat and Danladi Chiya for the Abuja South Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 elections.
The minister also defended the Tinubu administration, highlighting infrastructure development across the FCT, including more than 270 kilometres of roads, with 95 kilometres reportedly executed in Kwali.
He further listed the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, appointment of an FCT Head of Service and financial autonomy for area councils among the administration’s achievements.
Wike also promised to look into the salaries of FCT councillors after Gambo Hamza, Chairman of the National Councillors Forum of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, disclosed that councillors currently earn N260,000 monthly.
