Wike denies vote buying claims over N10m ward delivery reward
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has rejected criticism that his promise of N10 million to councillors who deliver their wards in the 2027 general elections amounts to vote-buying.
Speaking during an infrastructure project inspection in Abuja on Tuesday, Mr Wike insisted the funds were intended as an incentive for hard work and effective grassroots mobilisation on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, rather than financial inducement for voters.
“I didn’t tell them, ‘Take this money and go and buy votes,’” Mr Wike said. “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.’”
The controversy follows remarks made on Monday while addressing stakeholders, traditional leaders and political actors in the Kwali Area Council. During the meeting, Mr Wike announced that the Rainbow Coalition—a political support group—had introduced the financial incentive to rally grassroots support for the president.
“Any councillor that delivers his ward will come and take N10 million. We want to mobilise for Mr President,” he had said, urging local politicians to engage with their leaders and secure their wards ahead of the poll.
Defending the initiative on Tuesday, Mr Wike drew a comparison with athletes who are promised property or financial rewards for winning international sporting trophies. He argued that critics and sections of the media had wrongly conflated legitimate political rewards with electoral bribery, noting that campaigns routinely incur legitimate expenses such as advertising without facing equivalent scrutiny.
He urged journalists to distinguish between financial inducements aimed directly at swaying voters and performance-based rewards promised to political organisers who meet specific targets.
During the inspection tour of the Interchange Section 2 (ISEX 2), the Southern Parkway and the S1 Road, Mr Wike expressed satisfaction with the pace of construction. He stated that the projects remained on track for completion by December 15, ahead of the general elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.
Mr Wike added that his endorsement of President Tinubu’s administration was rooted in infrastructure delivery rather than partisan loyalty, asserting that citizens committed to national progress should support developmental achievements.