The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has promised a ₦10m reward to every councillor who secures victory for President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress candidates in their ward during the 2027 general elections.
Wike announced the incentive on Monday during a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting attended by traditional rulers, political leaders, councillors and residents in Kwali Area Council, Abuja.
The minister urged the councillors to intensify grassroots mobilisation by engaging political leaders, youth groups and community associations to rally support for Tinubu’s re-election and the APC’s electoral success.
“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.
The minister expressed confidence in the coalition’s chances ahead of the 2027 polls, declaring that Kwali, Gwagwalada and Abaji Area Councils would deliver overwhelming support for the APC. He also endorsed Senator Philip Aduda for the FCT Senate seat and Danladi Chiya for the Abuja South Federal Constituency.
Wike’s pledge comes amid renewed political mobilisation by supporters of Tinubu’s second-term bid, with the minister using the Rainbow Coalition platform to bring political stakeholders together across party lines.
The coalition has been promoting support for the President and other preferred candidates ahead of the elections.
At the meeting, Wike also promised to look into the remuneration of FCT councillors following complaints about their monthly salaries.
The Chairman of the National Councillors Forum of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, Gambo Hamza, had disclosed that councillors earned about ₦260,000 monthly and appealed to the minister to intervene.
Wike described the situation as unacceptable and promised to engage relevant officials of the FCT Administration to explore ways of improving the councillors’ welfare.
He also defended the Tinubu administration’s record in the territory, citing the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, the appointment of an indigenous Head of Service, financial autonomy for area councils and ongoing infrastructure projects across satellite towns.
The minister urged residents and political leaders to support the President in 2027, arguing that the administration had addressed longstanding concerns about the development and representation of the FCT.
