Wike announced the offer on Monday, November 9, during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Rainbow Coalition in Kwali Area Council of the FCT. He promised to give each councillor ₦10 million if they successfully deliver their wards for the president during the next general elections.
The minister used the gathering to encourage political leaders and grassroots representatives to strengthen their support for Tinubu’s re-election campaign. He also urged councillors to engage residents, youth groups and community associations as political activities gradually increase across the country.
According to Wike, councillors must take responsibility for mobilising voters within their communities rather than relying entirely on party leaders at the national level.
He challenged them to establish stronger relationships with local stakeholders and work towards securing electoral support for the president. His announcement also highlighted the importance he places on grassroots structures in determining electoral outcomes.
Wike Offers ₦10m Reward as 2027 Political Activities Intensify
Wike’s announcement comes as political discussions surrounding the 2027 elections continue to gain momentum. Political parties and their supporters have started positioning themselves ahead of the contest, while several political figures continue to express support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
The minister’s approach places considerable emphasis on ward-level mobilisation, where councillors maintain direct connections with residents and local political groups.
However, the proposed financial reward has attracted attention beyond the gathering in Kwali. The announcement has raised questions about the relationship between financial incentives and electoral campaigns, particularly when political figures attach monetary rewards to election results.
Although Wike presented the offer as an incentive for councillors, the announcement has generated wider discussions about how political actors intend to secure support ahead of the next presidential election.
The pledge has also drawn attention to the responsibilities of elected representatives during election campaigns and the methods they use to mobilise voters.
APC Chairman Defends Wike’s Financial Pledge
Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has defended Wike’s announcement, insisting that the proposed reward does not automatically amount to vote-buying.
Yilwatda addressed the issue during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday, November 9, following the minister’s public declaration.
During the interview, the APC chairman argued that the timing of the proposed payment was important in determining its nature. He distinguished between rewarding political representatives for their performance after an election and giving money directly to voters to influence their choices.
According to his explanation, a payment made after the election, the declaration of results and the conclusion of any legal proceedings would not amount to vote-buying.
He maintained that the minister’s announcement should be understood within the context of political mobilisation and rewards for electoral performance.
Nevertheless, his defence has not removed the questions surrounding the pledge, particularly its implementation and the conditions attached to the promised payment.
Financial Reward Raises Questions About Electoral Integrity
Beyond the political arguments, Wike’s announcement has brought attention to broader concerns about campaign financing and electoral integrity in Nigeria.
One major question concerns how the minister intends to determine whether a councillor has successfully delivered a ward to Tinubu. The pledge does not, by itself, explain the specific criteria for measuring success or how officials would verify the results before making payments.
There are also questions about the source of the proposed ₦10 million payments. Wike has not provided details in the announcement about whether the money would come from his personal resources, political contributions or another funding arrangement.
These questions are important because public officials must maintain clear boundaries between personal political activities and the use of public resources.
Furthermore, Nigeria’s electoral laws prohibit the buying and selling of votes, making the circumstances surrounding financial incentives during election periods a matter that could attract scrutiny.
While Yilwatda has defended the proposal, the distinction between rewarding political organisers and attempting to influence voters remains central to the debate.
As preparations for the 2027 elections continue, Wike’s pledge and the APC chairman’s response are likely to remain part of discussions about political mobilisation, campaign strategies and electoral accountability in Nigeria.