The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has promised a ₦10 million reward to every councillor who successfully delivers their political ward for President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress (APC) 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 intensify grassroots mobilisation by engaging community leaders, youth groups, associations and other residents to secure electoral victory for the APC in their respective wards.
“Any councillor that delivers his ward will get ₦10 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 declared.
The minister also reaffirmed his support for Tinubu’s re-election bid while endorsing Senator Philip Aduda for the FCT Senate seat and Danladi Chiya for the Abuja South Federal Constituency.
Expressing confidence in the APC’s prospects, Wike said he was certain that Kwali, Gwagwalada and Abaji would deliver overwhelming support for the party.
“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,” he said.
**WIKE ACCUSES OPPOSITION OF DOUBLE STANDARDS**
The FCT minister also criticised opposition parties and political figures over what he described as inconsistent reactions to judicial decisions.
He cited the opposition’s response to court rulings involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, arguing that some politicians only praise the judiciary when judgments favour 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?” he queried.
**DEFENDS SUV DONATION TO TRADITIONAL RULERS**
Wike also defended his administration’s decision to provide brand-new Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to first-class traditional rulers in the FCT amid criticism from some political commentators.
Dismissing allegations that the vehicles amounted to political inducements or bribes, the minister argued that traditional rulers deserved dignity and adequate recognition.
He questioned why traditional rulers should be expected to depend on public transportation while government officials and political appointees enjoyed official vehicles.
Wike insisted that his administration would continue supporting traditional institutions despite criticism.
**CITES 270KM ROAD PROJECTS, OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS**
The minister further highlighted infrastructure projects across FCT satellite towns, claiming that more than 270 kilometres of roads had been constructed, including 95 kilometres in Kwali.
He said several ongoing road projects across the satellite towns were nearing completion and would be inaugurated in December.
Wike described the Rainbow Coalition as a political platform working to promote development and effective representation in the FCT through grassroots mobilisation and cooperation among stakeholders across party lines.
He also listed the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, appointment of an FCT Head of Service, financial autonomy for area councils and infrastructure development as some of the achievements of the Tinubu administration in the territory.
The minister lamented what he described as decades of political marginalisation of the FCT, noting that despite its estimated population of between six and seven million, the territory has only one Senate seat and two House of Representatives seats.
“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,” he warned.
**WIKE PROMISES TO REVIEW COUNCILLORS’ SALARIES**
Wike also promised to look into the salaries of FCT councillors following an appeal by the Chairman of the National Councillors Forum of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, Gambo Hamza.
Hamza had complained that councillors in the territory received ₦260,000 monthly and appealed to the minister to intervene.
Meanwhile, the APC Chairman in the FCT, Ishaku Yamawo, commended Wike for bringing political stakeholders together across party lines and promoting development in the territory.
His Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Mohammed Dogara, also praised the minister’s activities and assured him of widespread support for Tinubu’s re-election.
Similarly, Aliyu Baka, who spoke on behalf of Rainbow Coalition stakeholders, expressed regret over what he described as the coalition’s electoral mistakes in 2023.
He said the group was determined to mobilise support for its candidates and Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
