The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has announced a N10m reward for each councillor who delivers their political ward to President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the 2027 general elections.
He made the announcement on Monday at a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting in Kwali Area Council, which brought together traditional rulers, political stakeholders and residents.
Wike called on councillors to engage residents and various community groups in their wards to build support for the APC ahead of the elections, Channels TV 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 reaffirmed his backing for Tinubu’s second-term ambition and declared his support for Senator Philip Aduda’s bid for the FCT Senate seat and Danladi Chiya’s candidacy for the Abuja South Federal Constituency.
He expressed confidence in the APC’s chances across the area, saying he had no doubt that Kwali, Gwagwalada and Abaji would support the party in the coming election.
“I don’t need to preach to you any longer. The one you are seeing is what you follow, not the one that will give you unfulfilled promises. I will go to sleep tonight because I know Kwali, Gwagwalada, and Abaji are 100 per cent for APC,” Wike declared.
Wike faults opposition over reactions to court judgments
Wike also took aim at opposition parties and political leaders, accusing them of inconsistency in their responses to judicial decisions.
He particularly faulted opposition figures for criticising court rulings, referring to the judgment that nullified the ticket of the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
According to him, some opposition members praised the judiciary when its decisions favoured them but questioned its credibility when the outcomes went against their interests.
“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 questioned.
The minister also responded to criticism surrounding his administration’s decision to provide brand-new Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to first-class traditional rulers in the FCT.
Wike defends provision of SUVs to traditional rulers
Rejecting claims that the vehicles were intended as political rewards or bribes, he maintained that traditional rulers deserved to be treated with dignity and respect.
“You want a first-class traditional ruler to be walking on the road with a stick in hand, taking public buses so they can get hit by a car one day? But you expect Chief Press Secretaries to Governors, Chairmen, and Presidents to ride SUVs?
“Instead of using their platforms to support good things, critics turn it upside down. We will provide for our traditional rulers, and nothing will come out of their complaints,” he said.
On infrastructure, Wike disclosed that more than 270 kilometres of roads had been constructed across the FCT satellite towns, including 95 kilometres in Kwali.
He added that work on the ongoing road projects in the satellite communities was approaching completion, with their inauguration scheduled for December.
Wike further said the Rainbow Coalition was focused on advancing the interests of FCT residents, noting that its grassroots network was bringing together people across political divides to promote development and effective representation.
“The kind of decision the President is taking is not one that other politicians will take, bringing us out from the shadow into reality, and that is what a good leader should be able to do for his people,” he said.
Highlighting what he considered achievements of Tinubu’s administration compared with previous governments, Wike mentioned the creation of the FCT Civil Service Commission, the appointment of an FCT Head of Service, financial autonomy for area councils and improvements to infrastructure in satellite towns.
He also spoke about what he described as the long-standing neglect of the FCT, pointing out that the territory, despite its estimated population of six to seven million people, has only one Senate seat and two seats in the House of Representatives.
“For 50 years, nobody could remember you. The President has changed the narrative, given you your own civil service, allowed you to employ your people, and elevated your traditional stools. You cannot afford to make a mistake in 2027,” Wike warned.
The minister also pledged to examine the salary structure of FCT councillors after Gambo Hamza, Chairman of the National Councillors Forum of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, raised concerns about their earnings.
Hamza disclosed that councillors in the territory currently earn N260,000 monthly and appealed to Wike to address the matter.
Meanwhile, the APC Chairman in the FCT, Ishaku Yamawo, praised Wike for bringing political stakeholders from different parties together and supporting development across the territory.
Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman in the FCT, Mohammed Dogara, appreciated the minister’s efforts and pledged strong support for Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
Speaking on behalf of Rainbow Coalition stakeholders in the FCT, Aliyu Baka expressed regret over what he described as the coalition’s electoral failures in 2023. He said the group was determined to work towards securing victory for its candidates and Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
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