BREAKING: Wike Promises ₦10m to Each Councillor Who Delivers Ward to Tinubu, APC

• Wike promises councillors ₦10m each if they deliver their wards to Tinubu and other APC candidates in 2027, urging them to mobilise community support.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has promised a ₦10 million reward to every councillor who delivers their ward to President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress candidates in the 2027 general elections.

Wike made the pledge on Monday during a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting in Kwali Area Council, attended by traditional rulers, political stakeholders and residents.

He urged councillors to engage community leaders, youth groups and associations to mobilise support for the candidates.

“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.

Wike endorses Aduda, Chiya

The minister reaffirmed his support for Tinubu’s re-election and endorsed Senator Philip Aduda for the FCT Senate seat and Danladi Chiya for the Abuja South Federal Constituency.

He expressed confidence that the APC would receive strong support in Kwali, Gwagwalada and Abaji.

“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.

Minister accuses opposition of double standards

Wike also criticised opposition figures over their responses to judicial decisions, citing the ruling that voided the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

He argued that some politicians praised the judiciary when decisions favoured them but alleged political interference when they lost.

“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.

Wike defends SUVs for traditional rulers

The minister defended the provision of brand-new Sport Utility Vehicles to first-class traditional rulers in the FCT, rejecting claims that the vehicles amounted to political inducements or bribes.

He said traditional rulers deserved dignity and support in carrying out their responsibilities.

“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.

Satellite town roads scheduled for December inauguration

Wike said his administration had undertaken more than 270 kilometres of road construction across FCT satellite towns, including 95 kilometres in Kwali.

According to him, ongoing road projects were nearing completion and would be inaugurated in December.

He also listed the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, the appointment of an FCT Head of Service, financial autonomy for area councils and infrastructure improvements among the Tinubu administration’s achievements.

“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 said the Rainbow Coalition was bringing stakeholders together across political divides to promote representation and development.

Councillors seek salary review

Wike also promised to examine councillors’ salaries following an appeal by Gambo Hamza, Chairman of the National Councillors Forum of Nigeria, FCT Chapter.

Hamza said councillors in the territory earned ₦260,000 monthly and urged the minister to intervene.

At the meeting, FCT APC Chairman Ishaku Yamawo commended Wike for bringing political stakeholders together and promoting development.

His Peoples Democratic Party counterpart, Mohammed Dogara, also praised the minister’s work and pledged support for Tinubu’s re-election.

Speaking on behalf of Rainbow Coalition stakeholders, Aliyu Baka said the group was determined to secure victory for its preferred candidates in 2027 after what he described as electoral missteps in 2023.