ABUJA — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has promised a ₦10 million reward to every councillor in the territory who successfully delivers their political ward to President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Wike announced the cash incentive on Monday during a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting in Kwali Area Council, which brought together traditional rulers, political leaders, and local residents.
Addressing the gathering, the minister charged local representatives to mobilize grassroots support 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 said.
During the event, Wike formally declared his support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid and publicly endorsed Senator Philip Aduda for the FCT Senate seat alongside Danladi Chiya for the Abuja South Federal Constituency. Expressing confidence in his political base, Wike added that he could “go to sleep tonight” knowing Kwali, Gwagwalada, and Abaji were fully aligned with the ruling party.
Defense of Traditional Rulers’ Vehicles & Judicial Criticisms
Wike also addressed recent public criticism regarding his administration’s distribution of brand-new Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to first-class traditional rulers in the FCT. Rejecting allegations that the vehicles constituted political inducements or bribes, the minister argued that royal fathers deserve basic dignity and protection.
“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?” Wike questioned, affirming that critics would not deter his administration from supporting traditional institutions.
Turning his attention to opposition figures, the FCT Minister accused rival political camps of double standards regarding judicial rulings. He noted that opposition leaders praised the judiciary following favorable verdicts—such as the Supreme Court decision involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Atiku Abubakar—but leveled accusations of state interference whenever rulings went against them.
Infrastructure Expansion and Administrative Reforms
Highlighting the achievements of the current administration, Wike detailed key infrastructure projects executed across satellite towns, including over 270 kilometers of roads, with 95 kilometers situated within Kwali Area Council. He confirmed that ongoing road projects across the area councils were nearing completion and scheduled for inauguration in December.
The minister also listed major administrative reforms implemented under President Tinubu, including the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, the appointment of a native FCT Head of Service, and the enforcement of financial autonomy for area councils.
While lamenting the FCT’s historical political representation—noting that a territory of six to seven million people is limited to one Senate seat and two House of Representatives seats—Wike urged residents to support the current administration to sustain ongoing development.
Local Leadership Reacts
Following a plea by the Chairman of the National Councillors Forum of Nigeria (FCT Chapter), Gambo Hamza, regarding the current monthly councillor salary of ₦260,000, Wike committed to reviewing the remuneration structure for local representatives.
Political leaders across party lines voiced support for the minister’s initiatives. FCT APC Chairman Ishaku Yamawo praised Wike for uniting diverse political factions, while FCT PDP Chairman Mohammed Dogara commended the minister’s structural achievements and assured support for the administration. Speaking on behalf of the Rainbow Coalition, Aliyu Baka acknowledged past electoral missteps in 2023, pledging a unified effort to secure victory for APC candidates in 2027.