APC Chairman Defends Wike’s N10m Reward to Councillors for Delivering Tinubu in 2027

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has defended the N10 million reward promised by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to councillors who deliver their political wards for President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.

Yilwatda said the financial reward was intended to motivate councillors and would only be paid after the elections, once the results had been established.

The APC chairman made this known on Monday while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he dismissed suggestions that Wike’s promise amounted to voter inducement.

According to him, the pledge was directed at councillors in the FCT, who would be rewarded for securing electoral victories for the ruling party in their respective wards.

“He was speaking to the FCT councillors in the forum, and I’m sure it’s addressing something about 62 or 60-something councillors in the FCT,” Yilwatda said.

When asked whether the N10 million offer could be considered vote buying, the APC chairman argued that political parties routinely provide financial resources for mobilisation activities.

“Which political party doesn’t release money for mobilisation? Which political party? So, tell me one. No, it’s not for votes. The same reward for you to deliver Tinubu in your ward,” he stated.

Yilwatda further compared the proposed reward to incentives given to students for outstanding academic performance, insisting that the timing of the payment was important.

He maintained that the money would not be distributed before the election but after the results had been declared and all relevant legal processes concluded.

“The money is not given before the election. It doesn’t matter? No, it matters. It matters because if the money is given after the election has been concluded and the winner has been declared and there’s nothing at stake again—if the court has proven and all the legal rules have been followed—that you legally deliver your ward by giving you N10 million,” he said.

Asked once again whether he considered the arrangement vote buying, Yilwatda responded firmly: “Never.”

Wike had announced the N10 million pledge during a political stakeholders’ meeting in Kwali Area Council of the FCT, promising to reward each councillor who successfully delivers their ward for Tinubu and APC candidates in the 2027 elections.

Meanwhile, the APC chairman also addressed questions about the possible return of Senate President Godswill Akpabio if he secures re-election in the 2027 polls.

Yilwatda said the decision on who becomes Senate President would be determined by senators rather than the party leadership.

“Let’s wait for the election first. I don’t have anybody in mind. The Senate will determine who they want to make the Senate President,” he said.

On reports of electoral violence ahead of the 2027 general elections, the APC chairman expressed sympathy for victims of attacks but insisted that the ruling party supports peaceful and credible elections.

He said anyone injured in political violence deserved sympathy, adding that such incidents should not be associated with APC supporters.

“If anybody is injured by anybody across the country, I’m sure it shouldn’t be by APC supporters. I pity anybody who is being injured, and I sympathise with them. Our party stands for free and fair elections,” Yilwatda added.